A retrospective analysis of systemic propranolol for the treatment of complicated infantile haemangiomas

Aim: A small percentage of complicated infantile haemangiomas need early, safe and effective treatment, and the option of off-label systemic propranolol treatment has been in existence since 2008. The aim of this study was to provide greater insight into the drug's efficacy and side effects. Methods: We report our retrospective experiences of 207 paediatric patients treated with systemic propranolol for complicated infantile haemangiomas, which were photographed and analysed with a specific haemangioma score. Results: Systemic treatment was successful in 99.5% of the patients. The haemangioma score before treatment was 8.3 +/- 3.3 and the score at the end of the treatment was 1.5 +/- 1.4. The reduction in the haemangiomas was significant and did not show any differences when distributed according to different localisations or to the patients' ages. Relevant side effects that may have made it necessary to discontinue the treatment were not observed. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in heart rate during the first six in-hospital drug applications. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that systemic propranolol treatment is a highly effective treatment that is nearly always safe. These findings are a milestone for particularly complicated haemangiomas and provide highly valuable information on this drug treatment.