Effects of repeated abdominal paracentesis on uterine and intraovarian haemodynamics and pregnancy outcome in severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of paracentesis on uterine and intraovarian haemodynamics by colour Doppler ultrasound and the influences of repeated paracentesis on pregnancy outcome in severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Forty-one abdominal paracenteses were performed on seven pregnant women with tense ascites and eight thoracocenteses were performed on three pregnant women with pleural effusion. Pulsatility index (PI) and maximum peak systolic velocity (MPSV) of uterine and intraovarian arteries were measured before and after each intervention. The mean PI of uterine arteries was decreased significantly after paracentesis, but not after thoracocentesis. Furthermore, uterine PI was decreased in 13 out of 14 (92.9%) paracenteses with < 2500 ml ascites removed, compared with eight out of 13 (61.5%) with > 2500 ml ascites removed. After paracentesis, there were no significant changes in the intraovarian PI and MPSV in either group. The 24-hour urine output increased significantly in the paracentesis group, but not in the thoracocentesis group. There were no significant changes in haematocrit and electrolytes as a result of paracentesis. However, gradual falls in serum total proteins and albumin concentrations were observed in all patients after repeated paracentesis, necessitating post-paracentesis albumin infusion. There was no significant difference in miscarriage rates between the two groups. We conclude that repeated abdominal paracentesis increases uterine perfusion and has no adverse effects on pregnancy outcome in severe OHSS. Extraction of 2500 ml of ascitic fluid did not impair uterine perfusion.