Comparison of pregnancy rates for two embryo-transfer catheters

Objective: To compare two flexible catheters and determine whether pregnancy rates (PRs) differed. Design: Prospective, randomized pilot study. Setting: Tertiary-care infertility practice. Patient(s): The subjects for this study were 100 women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles between September 2003 and October 2005. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure: Clinical PR for Edwards-Wallace (Cooper Surgical, Shelton, CT) and Cook World (Cook Urological, Spencer, IN) embryo-transfer (ET) catheters were not significantly different. Use of the flare stimulation protocol resulted in a significantly lower PR compared to long luteal and antagonist protocols. No other variable affected PR. Conclusion(s): A 5% difference in PR was demonstrated between ET catheters; however, this study does not have the power to detect a significant differences between the variables when stratified by catheter as well as pregnancy status. In a larger study, the flare protocol should be excluded.