ABSTRACT
The clinical association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) arises primarily within the context of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), in which thromboembolic complications may have fatal consequences. Occasionally patients presenting for IVF treatment may have a previous history of VTE or be considered to be at increased risk of developing thromboembolic complications as a result of undergoing IVF treatment. The incidence of VTE following IVF treatment is uncertain, as recent studies have reported varying data ranging from no increased incidence compared to that in age-matched populations1 to 10-fold increase with the background population. When VTEs occurring in pregnancy are included, the incidence rises to 2.6 per 1000, compared with 0.97 per 1000 in spontaneously conceived pregnancies.2
