NCT00837642

Brief Summary

The prevalence of infertility has been estimated at 9% worldwide. The steadily increasing use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has allowed millions of infertile couples to have children. These children make up for 1 to 4% of the population in developed countries. ART involves the manipulation of early embryos at a time when they may be particularly vulnerable to external disturbances. In line with this concept, studies in mice suggest that ART alters the activity of enzymes involved in the regulation of metabolic and cardiovascular homeostasis. Alternatively, infertility itself or the drugs used to stimulate ovulation may have adverse effects on the outcome of the offspring. The safety of ART for long-term health is, therefore, of utmost importance. Among the potential long-term consequences of ART, cardiovascular disease may represent an important candidate, but there is no information. Investigators show that, children born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) present systemic and pulmonary vascular dysfunction at high-altitude when compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects. A 5 years follow-up study shows that premature vascular aegieng persist and evolve to arterial hypertension. Arterial hypertension may induce cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, the major goal of this proposal is to assess cardiac function in apparently healthy participants born after ART.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
100

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2008

Longer than P75 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2008

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 4, 2009

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 5, 2009

Completed
11.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2020

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

February 20, 2020

Status Verified

February 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

12.2 years

First QC Date

February 4, 2009

Last Update Submit

February 19, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

Vascular function in offspring of ART

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Cardiac function

    Ejection fraction \[%\]

    1 year

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Left ventricular musce mass

    1 year

Study Arms (2)

ART (Assited reproductive technologies)

In participants born after IVF will be performed a transthoracic echocardiography

Diagnostic Test: Transthoracic echocardiography

Control

In participants naturally conceived will be performed a transthoracic echocardiography

Diagnostic Test: Transthoracic echocardiography

Interventions

Full transthoracic echocardiography will be performed.

ART (Assited reproductive technologies)Control

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 40 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

All the partcicipants that have been participated in our previous studies will be asked to take part in this new study.

You may qualify if:

  • Offspring of ART
  • Healthy
  • Born at term

You may not qualify if:

  • Cardio-pulmonary malformations
  • Neuro-muscular malformations

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital

Bern, Canton of Bern, 3010, Switzerland

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

  • Meister TA, Rimoldi SF, Soria R, von Arx R, Messerli FH, Sartori C, Scherrer U, Rexhaj E. Association of Assisted Reproductive Technologies With Arterial Hypertension During Adolescence. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 Sep 11;72(11):1267-1274. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.06.060.

  • Scherrer U, Rimoldi SF, Rexhaj E, Stuber T, Duplain H, Garcin S, de Marchi SF, Nicod P, Germond M, Allemann Y, Sartori C. Systemic and pulmonary vascular dysfunction in children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies. Circulation. 2012 Apr 17;125(15):1890-6. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.071183. Epub 2012 Mar 20.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Infertility

Interventions

Echocardiography

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital DiseasesUrogenital Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cardiac Imaging TechniquesDiagnostic ImagingDiagnostic Techniques and ProceduresDiagnosisUltrasonographyHeart Function TestsDiagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular

Study Officials

  • Emrush Rexhaj, PD

    University Hospital of Bern, Cardiology, Switzerland

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Urs Scherrer, Prof

CONTACT

Emrush Rexhaj, PD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
COHORT
Time Perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 4, 2009

First Posted

February 5, 2009

Study Start

October 1, 2008

Primary Completion

December 1, 2020

Study Completion

June 1, 2021

Last Updated

February 20, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-02

Locations