Heterotopic pregnancy and assisted reproduction--an update.

PURPOSE: Heterotopic pregnancy, an extremely rare event in the past, has become a common complication of assisted reproduction techniques.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

This serious sequella of IVF/ET or GIFT is probably the result of ovarian hyperstimulation and the transfer of several embryos into the uterus or tubes of a preselected population suffering from mechanical infertility. The techniques and medium used for embryo transfer may also be involved. Delayed diagnosis resulting in rupture, hemorrhage, and emergency intervention with its serious consequences is being reported in nearly half of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis for a viable intrauterine pregnancy, however, is good, and these combined pregnancies have produced a living child in about 70% of cases. A High index of suspicion, repeated ultrasounds, and early intervention are mandatory to salvage the viable intrauterine pregnancy and avoid maternal mortality.