Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S R Lindheim

Publications and source records attributed to S R Lindheim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reproductive outcome after sterilization reversal in women of advanced reproductive age.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the clinical outcome of tubal reversal in women of advanced reproductive age. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective chart review of 153 patients who underwent a tubal ligation reversal was carried out. Patients were evaluated according to age. All patients had documented ovulation and a partner with a normal semen analysis by WHO criteria. Outcome measures included rates of clinical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and live birth, and the time to conception. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy rates were significantly lower in women > or = 40 compared to younger groups. The time to conception was significantly shorter for women < 30 compared to women > or = 35. No pregnancies occurred in women > or = 42. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the judicious use of sterilization reversal for infertile women with no male factor through their early forties. Women > or = 42 years should be especially counseled as to the very low success rates.

Adult↗

Donor age is paramount to success in oocyte donation.

Several reports suggest increasing age in oocyte donors decreases the chances of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success, while others describe no effect. The published data concerning gravidity and parity are similarly conflicting. To further address these questions, we retrospectively studied 445 consecutive donor IVF cycles at two large university-based IVF practices. Donor cycles were analysed for the number of oocytes retrieved, gravidity, parity, and age of the donor, and pregnancy outcome in recipients. The previous gravidity and parity of the donor were not associated with successful pregnancy in recipients. The number of oocytes retrieved was positively correlated with pregnancy. However, after adjusting for donor age, neither prior fertility nor the number of oocytes retrieved were significant predictors. In contrast, the donor's age was highly associated with recipient success. We conclude that the age of the oocyte donor is a significant predictor of pregnancy success and should be a major factor in selecting prospective candidates. The gravidity and parity of the donor are insignificant predictors, as are the total number of oocytes retrieved at the time of oocyte harvest.

Adult↗

Hydrosalpinges adversely affect implantation in donor oocyte cycles.

Hydrosalpinges have been associated with poor in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in some, but not all, studies, perhaps through endometrial effects. To determine whether hydrosalpinges affect IVF outcome via endometrial factors alone, we analysed the results of recipients of donor oocytes with hydrosalpinges, thereby controlling for confounding variables, while isolating the intrauterine environment. We retrospectively analysed 110 patients who underwent 121 donor oocyte cycles in a university-based assisted reproduction programme. Thirteen cycles involving recipients (n = 10) with hydrosalpinges were compared to 108 cycles involving recipients (n = 100) without hydrosalpinges. Pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy rates were compared between women with and without hydrosalpinges. There were no significant differences between the hydrosalpinx and no hydrosalpinx groups with respect to donor age, recipient age, or number or grade of embryos transferred. Patients with a hydrosalpinx had significantly lower embryo implantation rates (7.1 versus 19.3%, P < 0.05) and significantly higher miscarriage (75.0 versus 14.9%, P < 0.05) and ectopic pregnancy rates (33.3 versus 0.0%, P < 0.05) than normal controls. We conclude that the presence of a hydrosalpinx adversely affects early pregnancy events by altering the intrauterine environment.

Fallopian Tube Diseases↗

Utilizing routine sonohysterography to detect intrauterine pathology before initiating hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of performing routine sonohysterography in conjunction with endometrial thickness measurement for detecting intrauterine pathology in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Asymptomatic postmenopausal women (n = 60, mean age 52.7 +/- 4.5 years, amenorrhea > or = 6 months, follicle stimulating hormone > or = 40 mIU/mL) were evaluated with sonohysterography followed by endometrial biopsy before initiating hormone replacement therapy. RESULTS: Hyperplasia was detected in 5 of 22 (22.7%) patients with endometrial thickness of > 5 mm and in 0 of 38 (0.0%) patients with endometrial thickness of < or = 5 mm. When sonohysterography was performed, intracavitary pathology was discovered in 14 of 38 (36.8%) patients with endometrial thickness of < or = 5 mm (10 polyps, three submucosal myomas, and one septate uterus) and 14 of 22 (63.6%) patients with endometrial thickness of > 5 mm (nine polyps, four submucosal myomas, and one Asherman's syndrome). CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial thickness of < or = 5 mm excludes hyperplasia but does not eliminate other intrauterine pathology that may be discovered by sonohysterography.

Aged↗

Expectations of recipient couples awaiting an anonymous oocyte donor match.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to survey recipients in an ovum donation program and report on their expectations while waiting for their potential donor recipient match. METHODS: Accepted or rejected anonymous ovum donor matches (n = 80) from January 1996 to May 1997 were evaluated. Patients generated a "wish list" of desired traits and physical characteristics. From an approved donor pool of medically and psychologically screened women, candidates were drawn upon as potential matches and presented to the potential recipient, who decided whether to accept the donor. Reasons for accepting or rejecting the donor were tallied and were compared to the patient's wish list. RESULTS: Medical history and race were ranked by 33 and 23% of recipient couples as the two most important characteristics, while 74 and 54% stated that these were among the three most important factors in a potential donor compared with other traits. Fifty-seven (71%) recipients accepted, while 23 (29%) rejected, the first donor presented to them. Eleven were subsequently given a second choice within 6 months, with 10 (91%) accepting the next presented match. Recipients waiting for a donor were just as likely to accept or reject a potential candidate whether waiting < 3 months (33%; 15/46), 3-6 months (25%; 4/16), or > 6 months (22%; 4/18) (P > 0.05; NS). In all but five recipients, the reason for rejection was consistent with their top three priorities reported in their wish list. CONCLUSIONS: Phenotypic, ethnic, educational, and other interests are important in the selection of an ovum donor. Recipients are proactive in their decision process, making educated and well considered decisions in spite of the limited pool and the extended time frame in waiting for an appropriate ovum donor.

Attitude↗

Upper genital-tract screening with hysterosonography in patients receiving donated oocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of sonohysterography (SHG) for imaging of the uterine cavity to hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and hysterscopy (HSC) in order to assess its clinical utility for recipients of donated oocyte. METHOD: From January 1996 to December 1996, we evaluated all patients (n = 50) referred for ovum donation using SHG and compared the results with HSG obtained within 6 months of SHG. Patients having either an abnormal SHG of HSG underwent HSC for confirmation and treatment. SHG was routinely performed during the early follicular phase using 10 cc saline instilled through an intracervical H-S catheter with concurrent vaginal sonography. RESULT: Pathology was observed and confirmed in 19 cases (38%) including polyps (n = 10, 52.6%), submucosal myomas (n = 7, 36.8%), intrauterine adhesions (n = 1, 5.3%) and bicornuate uterus (n = 1, 5.3%). SHG and HSG were concordant in 46 cases (95.8%) of which in 29 (60.4%) a normal cavity was observed, while four studies (8%) did not agree. Two polyps were missed on HSG, while two SHGs incorrectly diagnosed a calcified myoma and an endometrial fold. Using HSC for definitive identification, the accuracy of SHG was 90%, and similar to HSG. CONCLUSION: SHG appears both sensitive and highly predictive for evaluating pathology of the endometrial cavity and appears to be as effective as HSG. Advantages of SHG include improved imaging or uterine pathology, cost, greater patient comfort and the avoidance of radiation. Routine SHG of recipients uncovered a high incidence of abnormalities in older women and underscores the need to evaluate the uterine cavity prior to ovum donation.

Adult↗

Follicular fluid insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and -3 vary as a function of ovarian reserve and ovarian stimulation.

PURPOSE: Follicular fluid concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, IGF-binding protein (BP)-1, and IGFBP-3 in 57 women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were examined to determine whether levels reflected differences in patients' exposure to gonadotropin stimulation and a diminished ovarian reserve. METHODS: Preovulatory follicular fluid was obtained from both gonadotropin-stimulated and unstimulated cycles. Subjects were grouped according to normal or decreased ovarian reserve and whether or not they received gonadotropin stimulation. RESULTS: The mean follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 were significantly lower in the "decreased" ovarian reserve group compared with the "normal" ovarian reserve group, with no change in estradiol or IGF-II levels. This resulted in a decreased molar IGF-I: BP ratio and an increased molar IGF-II:IGFBP-1 ratio. In unstimulated cycles, mean follicular fluid concentrations of IGFs did not differ significantly compared with those in stimulated cycles, whereas concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 were significantly lower, leading to higher molar ratios of the IGFs to the binding proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Follicular fluid IGF and binding proteins vary as a function of ovarian reserve and gonadotropin stimulation. This may reflect either differences in oocyte quality or a suboptimal follicular fluid environment.

Adult↗

The utility of serum progesterone and inhibin A for monitoring natural-cycle IVF-ET.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to assess the value of monitoring serum P and inhibin A to determine how values might improve the clinical monitoring of natural cycle in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) patients. METHODS: All patients (n = 26) who underwent natural-cycle IVF-ET (n = 35) were analyzed. Groups were evaluated according to patients who had a spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (group I) and women receiving human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) who underwent subsequent oocyte aspiration (group II). Group II was further evaluated according to women who did (n = 10) and did not (n = 7) have an ET. All cycles were evaluated with serial transvaginal ultrasonography and serum estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin A. When follicle maturity was achieved, hCG, 10,000 IU, was administered intramuscularly if a LH surge was not detected. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration was performed 34-36 hr after hCG administration followed by a 48-hr transcervical ET. RESULTS: No differences were seen in cycles the day prior to (d-1) and the day of a spontaneous LH surge, (n = 18) or hCG (d-0)(n = 17) in group I or group II with respect to lead follicular diameter (d-1, 15.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 14.2 +/- 0.9 mm; d-0, 17.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 17.8 +/- 0.6 mm) and serum estradiol (d-1, 148 +/- 15 vs. 150 +/- 15 pg/ml; d-0, 218 +/- 15 vs. 199 +/- 16 pg/ml), respectively. However, serum progesterone was significantly elevated in group I compared with group II on d-1 (0.82 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.04 ng/ml; P < 0.05) and d-0 (1.1 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.63 +/- 0.08 ng/ml; P < 0.05). Inhibin A was significantly greater on d-1 in group I (24 +/- 2.5 vs. 15 +/- 2.2 pg/ml; P < 0.05). In group II, cycles that resulted in an ET (n = 10) compared with group II cycles that did not (n = 7) revealed a significant difference in serum progesterone (0.51 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.07 ng/ml; P < 0.05) and inhibin A (15 +/- 2.5 vs. 37.3 +/- 5 pg/ml; P < 0.05) the day of hCG. CONCLUSIONS: The possible application of serum progesterone and inhibin A in managing natural-cycle IVF-ET is suggested. These assays may predict women who should be set up for egg retrieval, while cancelling others in spite of the absence of an LH surge.

Adult↗

Operative ultrasonography for upper genital tract pathology.

PURPOSE: A procedure using transvaginal sonohysterography (SHG) to perform operative intrauterine biopsies and resections is described. METHODS: Seven women, six with intrauterine pathology noted on diagnostic SHG and one with a thickened endometrium noted on transvaginal ultrasonography, underwent attempted operative SHG. The indications were peri- and postmenopausal bleeding (n = 4) and infertility requiring assisted reproduction (n = 3). Access to the uterine cavity was accomplished with a 9-F cervical access catheter (CAC) with a 3-ml balloon (BEI Medical Systems, ZSI Gynecology Products Division, Chatsworth, CA), which was placed in the cervical canal or lower uterine segment. Depending on the position of the noted uterine pathology, a 6-F uterine ostial access catheter (UOAC) (BEI Medical Systems, ZSI Gynecology Products Division) was placed through the CAC. The uterine cavity was distended with 5-10 ml of 1% Lidocaine and a 3-F loop grasper or finger-like biopsy grasper was then passed through the UOAC or a 5-F operative instrument directly within the CAC with attempted resection under ultrasound guidance. Biopsied samples were sent to pathology for definitive diagnosis. Office hysteroscopy was then performed to confirm adequate resection. RESULTS: Three of six patients had adequate resection or biopsy of intrauterine pathology, while the seventh patient successfully had a directed biopsy of the fundal cavity under ultrasound guidance. In one case, the visualized lesion could not be grasped. In the other two cases, each patient had severe cervical stenosis and declined in-office cervical dilation precluding the procedure. Each procedure was well tolerated, with an average time from start to finish of about 25 min (range, 18-43 min) without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Operative SHG makes it possible to resect and biopsy intrauterine pathology often missed on Pipelle sampling. If found to be as effective as hysteroscopy, operative SHG would provide a cost-effective alternative. Further study is ongoing to perfect the existing instruments to allow removal of larger lesions both safe and possible.

Biopsy↗

Recruitment and screening policies and procedures used to establish a paid donor oocyte registry.

We have reviewed the demographic characteristics of, and report abnormalities noted in, the de-novo growth and development of a paid oocyte donation programme. The personal profiles of all prospective oocyte donors were reviewed. Acceptance or rejection of candidates was based upon screening the results of medical, genetic and psychological testing. A total of 603 candidates initially responded to our advertisement. From this pool, 313 individuals were considered suitable and contacted by telephone. Following further conversation, 176 women were scheduled an entry interview. On completion of the formal screening process, 17.6% (n = 31) of those actually interviewed were denied entry. Thus, from the initial interested parties, only 23% of women wishing to participate in oocyte donation were considered suitable candidates. Given the high attrition rate, we concluded that the need for rigorous and thorough medical, psychological and genetic testing is mandatory for the establishment of a donor registry. Furthermore, professional counselling of prospective donors with respect to the results of tests and the implications of test results with respect to their future medical and reproductive health, are important parts of providing comprehensive care.

Adult↗

An unusual case of rebound ovulation during conservative management of an ectopic pregnancy following ovum donation.

Conservative medical management of ectopic gestations may be difficult in patients with elevated levels of beta-hCG and cardiac activity. This case highlights the difficulty of managing such patients. Doppler flow studies and serum P, if available, should be used and can help determine those patients requiring repeated dosing of methotrexate. Patients using donor gametes and hormonal supplementation who subsequently develop an ectopic gestation may experience "rebound" ovulation, which further clouds the clinical picture. Careful follow-up using serial blood testing and ultrasound study is essential in the correct interpretation of a potentially confusing clinical picture.

Adult↗

Bilateral serous cystadenofibromas clinically simulating hyperreactio luteinalis following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization.

We report a case of bilateral serous cystadenofibromas clinically simulating hyperreactio luteinalis during a normal pregnancy resulting from controlled ovarian stimulation and in vitro fertilization. Incomplete regression at 2-year follow-up prompted surgical intervention. This case demonstrates that the clinical and sonographic features that have been associated with hyperreactio luteinalis are not specific for this condition and emphasizes the need for close clinical follow-up in all presumptive cases for which a histologic diagnosis has not been established.

Adenofibroma↗