Helping patients achieve their expected live birth rate: an ART paradigm shift

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Infertility Treatment
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Background:

• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has advanced significantly but faces challenges with low success rates per cycle, particularly for poor-prognosis patients.
• High treatment costs contribute to low cycle completion rates and increased patient drop-out.
• Current metrics for ART do not reflect recent clinical and laboratory innovations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel approach for ART that enhances success rates and cost-effectiveness.
• To introduce the concept of 'expected live birth rate' based on a thorough diagnostic assessment.
• To reduce treatment discontinuation by optimizing embryo transfer strategies.

Main Methods:

• Identifying the realistic number of embryo transfers required for a couple's expected live birth rate before treatment initiation.
• Recommending the postponement of embryo transfer until a sufficient number of embryos are cryopreserved.
• Utilizing comprehensive diagnostic assessments to guide treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• The proposed approach aims to improve clinical outcomes in ART.
• It seeks to enhance the cost-effectiveness of fertility treatments.
• It is expected to reduce the risk of treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions:

• A personalized approach, focusing on expected live birth rate and strategic cryopreservation, can optimize ART outcomes.
• This method addresses the limitations of current ART metrics and practices.
• Implementing this strategy can lead to more efficient and successful fertility treatments.