Hemostasis parameters during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization: Results of a prospective study

Objective: To evaluate the effect of IVF-ET on the hemostatic system. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Apparently healthy age-matched women of the hospital staff at various stage of the menstrual cycle. Patient(s): Twenty-five women involved in a IVF-ET program at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Montpellier University Hospital. Intervention(s): Twenty-six hemostasis parameters evaluated repeatedly in patients undergoing IVF-ET. Main Outcome Measure(s): Blood cell-dependent hemostasis parameters and plasmatic coagulation factors, determined at pituitary desensitization, maximal E(2) level, and P plateau. Result(s): Activation of the hemostatic system is evidenced at the P plateau, when D-dimers and fragments 1 + 2 of the prothrombin levels rose dramatically. At E(2) peak, no significant modification of hemostasis markers was noted. Conclusion(s): The present results indicate that ovarian hyperstimulation may induce hemostasis activation at the P plateau. The role of supraphysiologic sea hormone levels on the hemostatic system requires further investigation.