Propranolol in a case series of 174 patients with complicated infantile haemangioma: indications, safety and future directions

Abstract

In this study, propranolol was effective and safe in almost all patients with complex IH. Administration of systemic medication to an infant with a benign condition requires careful consideration, as only a minority of patients with IH require an active medical intervention. A shift of the indication of propranolol for IH is evident, expanding its application for life-threatening situations or severe functional impairment to early prevention of disfigurement or cosmetically permanent sequelae. However, the indication for such an active approach should be determined by experienced physicians.

Propranolol therapy for infantile hemangioma is less toxic but longer in duration than corticosteroid therapy

“…Nevertheless, propranolol has been used since 2008 without report of adverse height or BMI change, which is consistent with our findings. We observed a mean propranolol treatment duration of 372 days, which is consistent with the current literature (15,16).…”

Safety of Oral Propranolol for the Treatment of Infantile Hemangioma: A Systematic Review

“…discontinued after 2 months. 94 In addition, there were a further 3 symptomatic cases, 29,37,40 one of which was considered life-threatening by the authors but resolved after temporary discontinuation followed by dose reduction. 40 …”

Intractable Choroidal Effusion With Exudative Retinal Detachment in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

“…It avoided an invasive procedure and in recent years has emerged as an effective treatment for the accelerated involution of proliferating infantile extraocular hemangiomas as well as choroidal hemangiomas. [1][2][3][4] Reports in the literature indicate the presence of diffuse hemangiomas as a marker of poor prognosis in cases of SWS 5 but the few reports describing the effect of oral propranolol in cases of diffuse ocular hemangiomas have conflicting results. [2][3][4] Although the dosage and duration of propranolol treatment is yet to be established, it appears to be a noninvasive and safe treatment option for choroidal effusions in SWS.…”