Vascular endothelial growth factor and β-human chorionic gonadotropin are associated with trophoblastic invasion into the tubal wall in ectopic pregnancy

Association between ultrasound findings and serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in ampullary pregnancy

“…We previously showed that EP cases in which an embryo with cardiac activity was found by ultrasound have deeper trophoblastic invasion into the tubal wall; on the other hand, any of the patients with superficial invasion presented an embryo with cardiac activity (24). More recently, we additionally demonstrated that the depth of trophoblastic penetration into the tubal wall increased with maternal serum concentration of VEGF (25). Elevated VEGF cell production was postulated to permit deeper invasion of trophoblastic tissue into the tubal wall.…”

“…The most-specific finding of an EP is an extrauterine live embryo; however, embryos with cardiac activity have been identified by transvaginal ultrasound in fewer cases (25,26). Because of the lack of sensitivity of this method, the criterion of an extraovarian adnexal mass is often used: this mass may be a tubal ring with a yolk sac and embryo, a tubal ring with a yolk sac only, a tubal ring without central identifying features, or a complex adnexal mass.…”

“…Our group has already demonstrated that maternal serum concentration of both VEGF and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are associated with the depth of trophoblastic penetration into the tubal wall, and that a TVS finding of an embryo with cardiac activity is associated with deeper penetration of trophoblastic tissue into the tubal wall (23)(24)(25). The intent of the present study was to assess the association between ultrasound images and serum concentrations of VEGF in ampullary pregnancies.…”

Serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor and depth of trophoblastic invasion in ampullary ectopic pregnancy

“…To calculate the sample size, the study by Cabar et al 19 was considered as a reference for the effect size for the three degrees of trophoblastic invasion. Therefore, when considering a significance level of 5% and a statistical power of 95%, the calculated minimum sample size was 21 cases (G*Power software, version 3.1.9.2).…”

“…Serum concentrations of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the presence of an embryo with a heartbeat can be used to estimate trophoblastic invasion and damage to the histological structure of the Fallopian tubes caused by trophoblastic implantation 15-18. According to Cabar et al 19, greater VEGF concentrations allow deeper invasion of trophoblastic tissue into the tubes. These authors concluded that higher serum VEGF levels are related to the discovery of an embryo with a heartbeat by ultrasound.…”