Investigation and current management of recurrent IVF treatment failure in the UK

To determine current practice in the management of recurrent in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment failure in licensed UK infertility centres.

National postal questionnaire study and literature review.

University Hospital, Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Coventry, UK.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority licensed centres providing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the UK (n = 79).

A survey was designed that sought to determine how recurrent treatment failure was defined and which, if any, investigations were initiated. Furthermore, we asked which therapeutic options were subsequently recommended.

Definition of recurrent treatment failure. Investigations undertaken. Clinical or embryology changes recommended following recurrent treatment failure.

The response rate was 82%. The most common definition was three unsuccessful IVF cycles (range 2-6). Nineteen percent included frozen embryo replacements (FERs) in this figure. Anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant were the most frequent investigations suggested, followed by hysteroscopy and karyotype. A majority of centres would use a different treatment strategy in a subsequent cycle with blastocyst culture and assisted hatching being most popular.

The results of this survey suggest that there is considerable variation in the approach to investigation and management of recurrent IVF treatment failure in the UK, although in some areas (e.g. the definition) there was broad concordance. Not all of these approaches are evidence based.