Increased prevalence of thrombophilia among women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

To determine the prevalence of markers of thrombophilia in women hospitalized for severe OHSS.

Prospective study.

Academic research center.

Women undergoing induction of ovulation complicated by severe OHSS (n = 20) and women undergoing induction of ovulation without development of severe OHSS (n = 41).

Blood samples to test for markers of thrombophilia were obtained during the luteal phase of the treatment cycle.

Blood samples were analyzed for markers of thrombophilia, such as plasma levels of antithrombin, protein S and protein C, antiphospholipid antibodies, the factor V Leiden mutation, and 677T polymorphism in the 5,10 methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677T) gene.

Seventeen of 20 patients with severe OHSS (85%) and 11 of 41 controls (26.8%) had one or more positive markers of thrombophilia. Of the women with severe OHSS, 6 had a decreased antithrombin level, 8 had decreased levels of protein S, 7 were homozygous for the MTHFR 677T mutation, 1 was heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation, and 5 had antiphospholipid antibodies. Eight women with OHSS and no controls had more than one positive marker of thrombophilia.

The prevalence of thrombophilia is increased in women with severe OHSS. These findings suggest that prophylactic screening for this disorder and possible use of heparin prophylaxis for thromboembolic phenomena should be considered in these patients.