Coasting. A viable option for patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in 48 coasted patients and how they performed in terms of the number of eggs collected, numbers of embryos available for embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization, pregnant and on going pregnancy rate.

METHODS: The study was conducted at Lister Hospital, London, United Kingdom, during the period October 1998 through to May 2001. For the purpose of the study, we selected coasted cycles in patients who were less than 38 years of age (n=48 patients). A control group of cycles consisted of all cycles during the same period in patients less than 38 years of age, who were not coasted because they did not fulfil the at risk criteria, but yet we collected 20 oocytes or more (n=115 cycles, 113 patients).

RESULTS: The study showed that there is no significant difference in outcome between the 2 groups (52.1% pregnancy rate in the coasted group versus 51.3% in the control group). The incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was 4.3% in the study group versus 12.2% in the control but this did not reach statistical difference.

CONCLUSION: We therefore conclude that coasting is a safe and viable option for patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in an assisted conception cycle that allows the transfer of fresh embryos.