Intra-venous fluids preventing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Meta-analysis of the five included trials demonstrated significant reduction in severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome on administration of human albumin (odds ratio was 0.28 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.73). Relative risk was 0.35 (0.14 - 0.87) and absolute risk reduction was 5.5. For every 18 women at risk of severe OHSS, albumin infusion will save one more case. There was no evidence of an increase in the pregnancy rate (odds ratio was 1.09, (95% CI 0.65 to 1.83) REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: This review shows a clear benefit from administration of intra-venous albumin at the time of oocyte retrieval in prevention of severe OHSS in high-risk cases. Whether the NNT would justify the routine use of albumin infusion in cases at risk of severe OHSS needs to be judged by clinical decision makers.