Prognostic importance of serial cytokine changes in ascites and pleural effusion in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of various cytokine levels in ascites and pleural effusion during the evolution of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Design: A longitudinal study. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patient(s): Twenty patients with severe OHSS who required either paracentesis or thoracentesis or both from whom ascites (n = 56) or pleural effusion (n = 12) samples were obtained. Control peritoneal fluid was obtained from 20 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF. Intervention(s): Abdominal paracentesis for tense ascites and thoracentesis for massive pleural effusion. Control peritoneal fluid was obtained before oocyte retrieval. Main Outcome Measure(s): Levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-2, and progesterone concentrations in ascites and pleural effusion. Result(s): Levels of VEGF and IL-6 in ascites dropped significantly during the course of OHSS and were not correlated with E-2 concentrations. Levels of VEGF were significantly correlated with levels of IL-1 beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha, as well as progesterone concentrations, hematocrit, and white blood cell counts. None of the cytokine levels measured in pleural effusion were correlated with the course of OHSS. Conclusion(s): These results suggest that local cytokines might be involved in the evolution of severe OHSS and possibly serve as prognostic markers for this syndrome. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.