A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of propranolol for the treatment of infantile airway haemangiomas

Objective

To study the effectiveness of propranolol in infantile airway haemangiomas and compare the effectiveness of propranolol vs. different therapies.

Methods

A literature search of Ovid, Embase, the Cochrane database, Google™ Scholar, and Medline using PubMed as the search engine was performed to identify studies that analysed the effect of propranolol treatment in children with airway haemangiomas. Random-effect meta-analytical techniques were conducted for the outcome measures.

Results

Thirteen studies, comprising 36 patients were included in the analysis. Propranolol was found to be an effective intervention for the resolution of infantile airway haemangiomas (P < 0.00001). Meta-analysis of effectiveness of propranolol vs. steroids, CO₂ laser, or vincristine showed that propranolol is the most effective treatment.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis demonstrated that propranolol should be recommended as a first-line treatment in infantile airway haemangiomas. However, because of the possible side effects of propranolol, current infantile haemangioma treatment centres recommend a full cardiovascular and respiratory review be performed prior to initiation of therapy.