Cabergoline vs intravenous albumin or combination of both for prevention of the early onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Prophylactic use of dopamine agonist has been associated with a decrease in the severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). To compare cabergoline with cabergoline plus I.V albumin or I.V albumin alone in prevention of the early onset form of OHSS. Fifty women at risk of OHSS during IVF/ICSI cycles, having at least 20 follicles in both ovaries and a serum estradiol level ⩾3000pg/ml were selected and divided into three groups. Group I included 15 women started cabergoline (0.25mg/day for 2–3day then increased to 0.5mg/day for 8days from day of hCG), group II; 15 women were given cabergoline as above plus I.V infusion of 200ml human albumin 25% at starting of the oocytes retrieval and group III; 20 women were given I.V albumin as above. No women progressed to severe OHSS in group I and II while 2 (10%) women developed severe form in group III. Right mean ovarian diameters were less in group I and II than group III (8.0±1.5 vs 8.1±1.3 vs 9.3±1.2, respectively) P=0.01. As well as, left mean ovarian diameter (7.9±1.2 vs 8.0±1.1 vs 9.0±1.3, respectively) P=0.01. Cabergoline alone seems to be effective as cabergoline plus I.V albumin in the prevention of severe early onset form of OHSS in high-risk patients.