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Atenolol versus propranolol for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas: a randomized controlled study
Alvaro Ábarzúa-Araya1, Cristián P Navarrete-Dechent1, Felipe Heusser2
1Department of Dermatology, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Background:
Infantile hemangiomas have a dramatic response to propranolol, a nonselective beta-blocker. However, this treatment is not risk-free and many patients are excluded because of respiratory comorbidities. Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker that may have fewer adverse events.
Objective:
We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of atenolol against propranolol in a noninferiority trial.
Methods:
In all, 23 patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomized to receive either atenolol or propranolol. Thirteen patients were treated with atenolol and 10 with propranolol. Follow-up was made at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and then monthly for 6 months.
Results:
Patients treated with atenolol had a complete response of 53.8% and 60% with propranolol, respectively. These results were nonsignificant (P = .68). Relevant adverse events were not reported.
Limitations:
The reduced number of patients could have influenced our results.
Conclusion:
Atenolol appears to be as effective as propranolol. We did not find significant differences between these results or any adverse events.
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