Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42152121›Full record

ArticleTrials2026

Direct warming and rehydration method in frozen embryo transfer: study protocol for a pragmatic, multi-center, double-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial.

Waner Wu, Murong Xu, Ka Kei Fung, Linyao Zhang, Hoi Ming Wan, Carol Pui Shan Chan, Jacqueline Pui Wah Chung, David Yiu Leung Chan

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical Trial Protocol
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Trials, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06741748 (A Pragmatic, Multi-centre, Double-blinded, Two-arm Randomized Controlled Trial on a Direct Warming Frozen Embryo Transfer in Assisted Reproductive Technologies Treatment Outcome), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06741748 nanot yet recruitingnot on this map

A Pragmatic, Multi-centre, Double-blinded, Two-arm Randomized Controlled Trial on a Direct Warming Frozen Embryo Transfer in Assisted Reproductive Technologies Treatment Outcome

TypeinterventionalSponsorChinese University of Hong KongRan2025 to 2027Enrolled578ConditionsFrozen Embryo Transfer (FET), Assisted Reproductive Techniques, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Cryopreservation of EmbryosArmsDirect Warming Method, Conventional Multi-step Thawing Method
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Waner WuAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Murong XuAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Ka Kei FungAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Linyao ZhangAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hoi Ming WanAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Carol Pui Shan ChanAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Jacqueline Pui Wah ChungAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
David Yiu Leung ChanAssisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. drdcyl16@cuhk.edu.hk.

Funding

the Hong Kong Health and Medical Fund 18190321The Hong Kong Research Matching Grant RMG01-8601386
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEmbryo cryopreservation through vitrification is widely used to store surplus embryos for future transfer. Traditional multi-step warming methods are both time-consuming and costly. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes and the effectiveness of a novel direct warming method for frozen embryo transfer (FET) in comparison to the conventional multi-step method.

methodsThis is a pragmatic, two-arm, double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the new direct warming method with the conventional multi-step method. Participants undergoing FET will be randomly assigned to either the direct warming method or the conventional warming protocol. The primary outcomes are the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), the live birth rate (LBR), miscarriage rate, and cost-effectiveness. Secondary outcomes include identifying clinical differences among various brands of warming media, embryo storage devices, and embryo culture media through subgroup analyses. A sample size of 578 participants is planned, allowing for a 5% loss to follow-up. DISCUSSION: Preliminary studies have shown that the direct warming method offers comparable or slightly higher live birth rates than conventional methods. Moreover, it significantly reduces thawing time and associated costs, offering a faster, cost-effective option for FET. This trial has the potential to improve accessibility to ART by reducing procedural costs and increasing efficiency without compromising clinical outcomes.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06741748. Registered on 19 November 2024.

Indexed as

CryopreservationEmbryo TransferAbortion, SpontaneousCost-Benefit AnalysisDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansLive BirthMulticenter Studies as TopicPragmatic Clinical Trials as TopicPregnancyPregnancy RateTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeVitrificationCost-effectivenessCryopreservationDirect warmingEmbryo warmingLive birth rateVitrification

Identifiers

PMID42152121
PMCPMC13348586

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.