Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jan 2011
Comparative StudyInitial experience with a multidisciplinary strategy for initiation of propranolol therapy for infantile hemangiomas.
To outline a safe, standardized protocol for outpatient initiation of propranolol therapy for infantile hemangiomas. ⋯ In most children with infantile hemangiomas, propranolol therapy can be safely initiated as an outpatient. Careful cardiovascular evaluation by an experienced clinician is essential for pretreatment evaluation, inpatient admission (when necessary), blood pressure and heart rate monitoring following initial dosing, and parent education. This standardized multidisciplinary outpatient initiation plan reduces the cost of initiating therapy compared with inpatient strategies while still providing appropriate monitoring for potential treatment complications. Further evaluation of propranolol therapy efficacy at the current dosing and duration of treatment continues.