Can the Movement of the Air Bubbles After Embryo Transfer Predict the Success of IVF Treatment?

Aim: We aim to evaluate the effect of the movement of air bubbles after embryo transfer (ET) on pregnancy outcomes under transabdominal ultrasound-guided ET in IVF cycles. Material and Method: One hundred and thirty six (136) ultrasound-guided fresh fundal ETs included in this study were divided into 3 groups according to the movement of air bubbles after ET. Group 1 (n=101) consisted of ETs in which the air bubbles moved towards the uterine fundus with ejection immediately after transfer; Group 2 (n=5) consisted of ETs in which the air bubbles moved towards the cervical canal after transfer; Group 3 (n=30) consisted of ETs in which no movement of air bubbles was observed after transfer. The primary outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate. Results: Of all the transfers, 53 (38.9%) resulted in a clinical pregnancy. Of these clinical pregnancies, 75% was in group 1, 1.9% was in group 2 and 22.6% was in group 3. The clinical pregnancy rates were 39.6%, 20%, and 40% in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The clinical pregnancy rates were dramatically reduced in cases with the air bubbles moving towards the cervical canal after transfer, although this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.67). Discussion: The movement of air bubbles towards the cervical canal after transfer can reflect a poor prognostic outcome in terms of lower pregnancy rates and can influence the success of IVF treatment.