title: Propranolol use for infantile hemangiomas: American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Vascular Anomalies Task Force practice patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study provides multi-institutional practice guidelines for the initiation of propranolol hydrochloride treatment of routine infantile hemangiomas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide information on current propranolol treatment practices for infantile hemangiomas among a cohort of pediatric otolaryngologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey for initiation of propranolol therapy was created by the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Vascular Anomalies Task Force Subcommittee. After an initial pilot of the survey by 4 task force members, the survey was modified and then distributed by e-mail. Results were transferred to spreadsheet format and analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 51 members of the task force.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 respondents from 15 institutions submitted completed surveys. Data from respondents at the same institution were aggregated and/or averaged to minimize regional bias. Fourteen of 15 responding institutions (93%) treat patients with infantile hemangioma as part of a multidisciplinary vascular anomalies team. Ten institutions (67%) routinely consult cardiology before initiation of propranolol therapy. The median propranolol hydrochloride initiation dosage is 2.00 (mean [SD], 1.65 [0.64]; range, 0.45-2.50) mg/kg/d. Postinitiation monitoring for propranolol therapy includes blood pressure (15 of 15 respondents [100%]), serum glucose levels (7 of 15 [47%]), and pulse oximetry (2 of 15 [13%]). Only 2 institutions routinely admit all patients for initiation of propranolol therapy. Typical duration of therapy ranges from 4 to 8 (5 of 15 [33%]) or 8 to 12 months (10 of 15 [67%]), and cessation of therapy in most cases is based on the clinical response (7 of 14 [50%]) or the age of the patient (6 of 14 [43%]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propranolol is a commonly used medication for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas among otolaryngologists in the Vascular Anomalies Task Force. Propranolol therapy is commonly initiated in the outpatient setting and continued for as long as 12 months.
authors: Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. sanjay.parikh@seattlechildrens.org
authors: Sanjay R
authors: SR
authors: Parikh
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Darrow
authors: J Fredrik
authors: JF
authors: Grimmer
authors: Scott C
authors: SC
authors: Manning
authors: Gresham T
authors: GT
authors: Richter
authors: Jonathan A
authors: JA
authors: Perkins
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010092:Oximetry; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001786:Blood Glucose; D011433:Propranolol