Asssisted Reproduction and Maternal Cardiovascular Function
摘要
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen embryo transfer (FET), are increasingly used worldwide but are associated with higher risks of venous thromboembolism, pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Exogenous hormonal stimulation induces rapid endocrine changes that may affect maternal haemodynamics. This chapter reviews available evidence, including the only systematic review and meta-analysis to date, which examined changes at baseline, pituitary down-regulation, peak oestradiol and the luteal phase. In agonist cycles, heart rate rises significantly during stimulation, while mean arterial pressure falls in the luteal phase; some studies report increased cardiac output and reduced ejection fraction after oocyte retrieval. Antagonist protocols show minimal haemodynamic changes. Although direct data are lacking for frozen cycles, medicated FET pregnancies are consistently linked to hypertensive disorders, likely due to the absence of the corpus luteum and its vasoactive hormones. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes remain uncertain, warranting further prospective studies.