Effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment on cardiac function

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is a key component of assisted reproductive technologies.
• Potential systemic effects of COH, including on cardiovascular health, require thorough investigation.
• Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) offers a sensitive method for assessing cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of COH treatment on cardiac function in women undergoing fertility treatments.
• To assess both diastolic and systolic cardiac performance using TDI.
• To compare cardiac function in women undergoing COH with a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 21 women (aged 22-35) undergoing COH cycles.
• Transthoracic echocardiography with TDI was performed twice: early cycle and pre-hCG administration.
• Cardiac function parameters were compared between COH patients and 21 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• COH treatment did not induce significant changes in left ventricular diastolic function parameters (e.g., E, A, E/A ratio, DT, IVRT, LVMPI).
• Right ventricular diastolic function (e.g., tricuspid E wave, DT, IVRT, RVMPI) remained unaffected by COH.
• No significant impact of COH on right and left ventricular systolic functions was detected.

Conclusions:

• Tissue Doppler imaging findings indicate that COH treatment does not adversely affect cardiac function in women undergoing fertility treatments.
• The study provides evidence that COH, within the assessed parameters, is safe concerning cardiac performance.
• Further research may explore long-term cardiovascular implications, if any.