Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist trigger and freeze-all strategy does not prevent severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a report of three cases

Abstract

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the most serious iatrogenic complication of IVF cycles. Although the development of effective treatment strategies for this syndrome is important, preventing OHSS is more crucial. Triggering ovulation with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist is one method used to avoid OHSS. In this paper, three patients who developed severe OHSS after undergoing GnRH agonist triggering and freezing of all embryos in a GnRH antagonist protocol are described. A review of the literature is also provided. This report highlights the ongoing risk of severe OHSS even after GnRH agonist triggering combined with freezing all embryos in GnRH antagonist cycles. Other prevention strategies might be considered for extreme hyper-responders.

Keywords: GnRH agonist; OHSS; freeze-all; segmentation; trigger.