Influence of In Vitro Fertilization and embryo transfer procedures on the risk of ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy remains the leading cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is surprisingly more common in cases of in vitro fertilization (IVF) (2-5%) than in spontaneous pregnancy (1-2%). The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of demographic and IVF parameters and embryo transfer methods on the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

This was a retrospective study including all embryo transfers obtained by IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), over a nine-year period, and resulting in pregnancy (ßhCG >100 IU/L). The population was separated into two groups according to pregnancy location: intrauterine (IP) or extrauterine (EP).

There was no significant difference in the rates of EP according to the different IVF and embryo transfer methods studied. Only pathological tubal status significantly increased the risk of EP (odds ratio=4.6183, 95% confidence interval [2.0917-10.0978], p = 0.0001).

Our study highlights the importance of taking into account risk factors for EP, including in patients who have undergone in vitro fertilization.