We published a new original study for the management of women with severe early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) with concomitant embryo transfer. The treatment we describe is now internationally established as tertiary OHSS prevention, following the Reviewers’ comments of the Journal Human Reproduction, in which our study was published in April 2013.

Our study describes that women with severe OHSS underwent fresh embryo transfer, instead of cycle cancellation which is the current practice, with concomitant administration of GnRH antagonist in the luteal phase. Pregnancy and live birth rates, as well as pregnancy progression and neonatal health were all excellent, and were comparable to a control group of women who did not develop severe OHSS and did not receive GnRH antagonist. In all women, severe OHSS regressed rapidly as early as two days after antagonist administration. No woman was hospitalized.

OHSS is the most serious complication of IVF programs. Until recently, there was no established cure for severe OHSS, which often requires patient hospitalization.

This innovative method was designed by Dr Trifon Lainas and the scientific team of Eugonia, in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and is currently the only available treatment of established severe OHSS.

Lainas GT, Kolibianakis EM, Sfontouris IA, Zorzovilis IZ, Petsas GK, Lainas TG, Tarlatzis BC. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes following luteal GnRH antagonist administration in patients with severe early OHSS. Human Reproduction 2013; 28: 1929-1942.

A summary of our study may be found here.