Aspire HFI Patient Statement
Patient Statement
Aspire Houston Fertility Institute (Aspire HFI) is dedicated to the well-being of our patients and their tissue. Recently, we were made aware of allegations related to embryo transfers. To be clear, at no time did Aspire ever knowingly transfer non-viable tissue. Nor did our pregnancy rates reach zero. These allegations are false and defamatory. In fact, Aspire’s pregnancy rates remained within industry averages for the duration of the impacted period.
In March of this year, Aspire HFI identified a decrease in thawing survival rates for embryos frozen in our Piney Point laboratory between February 1st and March 14th, 2024. The decrease in survival rates appeared to coincide in time with a change in the vitrification media used to facilitate the rapid freezing of tissue without damaging the tissue.
Immediately upon identifying this potential issue, we halted use of this media. Upon returning to our previously used media, our survival rates returned to our industry leading standards. No other Aspire affiliated laboratory was impacted by this issue.
To Aspire HFI’s knowledge at the time, the issue was limited to a decrease in embryo survival rates at the time of embryo thawing. Indeed, there are numerous healthy ongoing pregnancies from embryos successfully thawed that had been frozen during the dates in question, and there was no reason to believe that any embryos that survived thawing would be negatively impacted.
Patients known to have been adversely impacted have been individually notified since the issue first became apparent.
Aspire HFI subsequently became aware of a moderate decrease in overall expected pregnancy rates for the period in question - which may or may not be related to vitrification media - and has been working to notify other potentially affected patients and offer replacement services.
As always, our mission is to work together with our patients to achieve their family-building dreams.
FAQs
General Questions
What is vitrification media?
Vitrification media is a liquid solution that is used to facilitate the rapid freezing of tissue without the formation of ice crystals that might damage the tissue.What is the time frame?
This issue was limited to patients seen at Aspire HFI at its Piney Point Surgical Center location during a limited period of time and for a limited set of services, with the time period limited to February 1st to March 14th, 2024, and the services limited to retrievals for embryo creation and oocyte thaws for embryo creation.
The impacted services did not include egg freezing or embryo thaws for embryo transfer. Any patients or services outside this time window were not impacted.Why are you providing notice now?
Patients known to have been adversely impacted have been individually notified since the issue first became apparent. We are providing general notice now because our prior disclosure has led to public discussions and we felt it necessary to provide public disclosure to explain the limited nature of the problem and our solutions for affected patients to achieve their family planning goals.What caused the decrease in embryo survival rates?
While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary findings suggest that the use of a different type of vitrification culture media may be the cause. We stopped using this vitrification culture media on March 15, 2024, and are no longer utilizing this media.Are there any risks associated with returning to the prior vitrification culture media?
The prior vitrification media had been successfully used in the clinic for more than 20 years. There is no evidence to suggest that it poses any risks to embryos.
Patient-Specific Questions
How will I know if my embryos were affected?
The only patients potentially impacted are those who had retrievals for embryo creation and oocyte thaws for embryo creation at the Aspire HFI Piney Point Surgical Center location between Feb 1st and March 14th, 2024. If you received services from a different Aspire location, your care was not impacted. If you received services outside of this time period, your care was not impacted. If you were seen during this time period but your services did not include embryo vitrification, your care was not impacted.
We have been notifying all patients who were potentially impacted by this incident. If you were a patient at Aspire HFI between February 1st to March 14th 2024 for an egg retrieval for embryo creation or oocyte thaw for embryo creation and you have additional questions, we are available to discuss your individual situation and address any questions you may have.What replacement services are being offered?
We are offering a variety of replacement services to affected patients, including additional embryo transfers, egg retrieval cycles, or other options as determined on a case-by-case basis with the patient and their physician.What if I have concerns about the quality of my embryos?
We understand your concerns and are committed to providing you with the highest quality care. We are happy to discuss your individual situation and address any questions you may have.
