Hemostasis parameters during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization: results of a prospective study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of IVF-ET on the hemostatic system. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Apparently healthy age-matched women of the hospital staff at various stage of the menstrual cycle. PATIENT(S) Twenty-five women involved in a IVF-ET program at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Montpellier University Hospital. INTERVENTION(S) Twenty-six hemostasis parameters evaluated repeatedly in patients undergoing IVF-ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Blood cell-dependent hemostasis parameters and plasmatic coagulation factors, determined at pituitary desensitization, maximal E2 level, and P plateau. RESULT(S) Activation of the hemostatic system is evidenced at the P plateau, when D-dimers and fragments 1 + 2 of the prothrombin levels rose dramatically. At E2 peak, no significant modification of hemostasis markers was noted. CONCLUSION(S) The present results indicate that ovarian hyperstimulation may induce hemostasis activation at the P plateau. The role of supraphysiologic sex hormone levels on the hemostatic system requires further investigation.