Cabergoline for reducing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in assisted reproductive technology treatment cycles: A prospective randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate whether cabergoline (Cb2), a dopamine agonist, reduces ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high-risk women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), and to analyze whether cabergoline affects the outcome of ART. Study Design: Forty infertile women at risk of developing OHSS were enrolled in the trial. The inclusion criteria were as follows: infertile women undergoing IVF with serum estradiol concentration > 4,000 pg/mL or with > 20 follicles > 12 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, and 18–40 years of age. They were randomized into 2 groups: the Cb2 group (n=20) received 0.5 mg oral Cb2 per day for 8 consecutive days beginning on the day of hCG, and the control group (n=20) received no medication. Results: Ascites was significantly lower (p=0.008) in the Cb2 group as compared with the control group. The incidence of moderate OHSS was also significantly lower (p=0.04) in the Cb2 as compared to the control group. There was no evidence of statistically significant differences regarding the parameters of ART outcome. Conclusion: Our data supports the use of Cb2 in the management of high-risk women undergoing ART and, consequently, achieving lowered risk of OHSS, with no deleterious impact on ART outcomes.