PUL-IVF

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Validation of a single-visit protocol for the management of pregnancy of unknown location in in-vitro fertilisation

  • IRAS ID

    348506

  • Contact name

    Davor Jurkovic

  • Contact email

    d.jurkovic@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Z6364106/2025/03/36, UCL Data Protection Registration Number

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    Those who become pregnant by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and develop early pregnancy
    complications are referred to Early Pregnancy Units (EPUs), where they are managed according to guidelines developed for spontaneously conceived pregnancies. Certainty of gestational age in assisted conception should allow early pregnancy care to be tailored to such patients. Pregnancy of unknown location describes when there is a positive pregnancy tests but a pregnancy cannot be visualised on ultrasound scan. In the context of IVF, this generally reflects early pregnancy loss. The aim of this study is to prospectively validate a protocol for the management of pregnancy of unknown location (PUL), which has been developed specifically for IVF patients. This would reduce the need for repeated invasive tests in patients for whom these can be safely avoided. As well as minimising inconvenience, it would also mean patients could be reassured more quickly that their risk of an unrecognised life-threatening ectopic pregnancy is low.

  • REC name

    West of Scotland REC 4

  • REC reference

    25/WS/0076

  • Date of REC Opinion

    10 Jul 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion