Cabergoline for reducing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in assisted reproductive technology treatment cycles. A prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether cabergoline (Cb2), a dopamine agonist, reduces ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high-risk women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), and to analyze whether cabergoline affects the outcome of ART.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty infertile women at risk of developing OHSS were enrolled in the trial. The inclusion criteria were as follows: infertile women undergoing IVF with serum estradiol concentration > 4,000 pg/mL or with > 20 follicles > 12 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, and 18-40 years of age. They were randomized into 2 groups: the Cb2 group (n = 20) received 0.5 mg oral Cb2 per day for 8 consecutive days beginning on the day of hCG, and the control group (n = 20) received no medication.

RESULTS

Ascites was significantly lower (p = 0.008) in the Cb2 group as compared with the control group. The incidence of moderate OHSS was also significantly lower (p = 0.04) in the Cb2 as compared to the control group. There was no evidence of statistically significant differences regarding the parameters of ART outcome.

CONCLUSION

Our data supports the use of Cb2 in the management of high-risk women undergoing ART and, consequently, achieving lowered risk of OHSS, with no deleterious impact on ART outcomes.