Early propranolol treatment of infantile hemangiomas improves outcome

Abstract Background Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common soft tissue tumors of childhood. Although most of these tumors are not worrisome, some IH may be life or function-threatening, can lead to permanent disfigurement, or have associated structural congenital anomalies, requiring early recognition and referral to specialists for treatment consideration. Since 2008, oral propranolol has been widely considered to be the first-line treatment for IH. Objectives To evaluate aesthetic and functional outcome in propranolol-treated infantile hemangiomas according to the age of treatment onset. Methods Retrospective, observational study of infantile hemangioma patients under 4 years of age at the time of diagnosis, treated with oral propranolol. Evaluated parameters included: pre and post-treatment morphologic/aesthetic aspects of the hemangioma, total resolution rate, degree of functional compromise of affected areas and its evolution. Two independent pediatric dermatologists evaluated all cases reviewing clinical data from medical records and comparing clinical photographs taken at initiation and at the end of treatment of each patient. Data were analyzed with STATA 13.0 program. Results The cohort included 138 patients, with a female predominance. The median age at therapy onset was 3 months. The morphological/aesthetic improvement rate was 99% (95% CI 96‒99), the total resolution rate was 48% (95% CI 44‒60) and the functional improvement rate reached 100%. When comparing total resolution outcome versus age when treatment started, the improvement was larger in younger patients (3.5 vs. 4.9 months, p = 0.01). When comparing the total resolution rate in those younger or older than 3 months at treatment initiation, the percentage of total resolution in the younger group was 57% vs. 40% in the older one (p = 0.05). Study limitations Retrospective design; patients photographs were the sole indicators used to measure regression rates. Visual assessment is subjective. Conclusion The present results strongly suggest that early (before 3 months of age) initiation of treatment of infantile hemangiomas with propranolol results in significantly higher aesthetic and functional improvement rates and a higher percentage of total resolution.

Hemangioma mamario en una lactante con aparente mastitis: Caso clínico / Mammary hemangioma in an infant with apparent mastitis: Case report

La patología mamaria en pediatría es infrecuente. El hallazgo de una masa a nivel mamario en un lactante es una situación poco común. Los posibles diagnósticos a esta edad son absceso mamario, mastitis, ingurgitación mamaria por estimulación hormonal materna y hemangioma. Es importante llegar al diagnóstico adecuado para emplear un tratamiento acorde y evitar la aparición de complicaciones de dichas patologías. Se presenta un caso de una lactante con una masa en la mama derecha detectada desde el nacimiento. Inicialmente, se trató como una mastitis, pero dada la mala evolución, se plantearon diagnósticos diferenciales y se concluyó que se trataba de un hemangioma. Debido a la ulceración de la lesión, junto con el riesgo existente de desarrollar hipoplasia mamaria, se decidió iniciar tratamiento con propanolol, con resolución casi completa de la tumoración.

Mammary pathology is infrequent during childhood. It is rare the probability of finding a breast mass in an infant. The most frequent possible diagnoses at this age are breast abscess, mastitis, breast engorgement due to maternal hormonal stimulation and hemangioma. Reaching the proper diagnosis is essential in order to apply a suitable treatment and avoid the potential disease complications. We present the case of a female infant having a mass in the right breast from birth. Initially the entity was treated as mastitis. Nevertheless, the bad evolution made necessary considering the differential diagnosis. It was concluded to be a hemangioma. Due to the lesion ulceration and the potential risk of developing breast hypoplasia, treatment with propranolol was started. The tumor was almost completely resolved.

Thermal sintering: a novel technique in the design of gastroretentive floating tablets of propranolol HCl and its evaluation / Sinterización térmica: Una técnica novedosa en el diseño de tabletas flotantes gastroretentivas de HCl propanolol y su evaluación

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate thermally sintered floating tablets of propranolol HCl, and to study the effect of sintering conditions on drug release, as well as their in vitro buoyancy properties. A hydrophilic polymer, polyethylene oxide, was selected as a sintered polymer to retard the drug release. The formulations were prepared by a direct compression method and were evaluated by in vitro dissolution studies. The results showed that sintering temperature and time of exposure greatly influenced the buoyancy, as well as the dissolution properties. As the sintering temperature and time of exposure increased, floating lag time was found to be decreased, total floating time was increased and drug release was retarded. An optimized sintered formulation (sintering temperature 50°C and time of exposure 4 h) was selected, based on their drug retarding properties. The optimized formulation was characterized with FTIR and DSC studies and no interaction was found between the drug and the polymer used.

El propósito de la presente investigación fue la elaboración de tabletas flotantes de HCL propanolol térmicamente sinterizadas y estudiar los efectos de las condiciones de sinterización sobre la liberación de la droga, así como sobre sus propiedades de flotabilidad in vitro. Se seleccionó un polímero hidrofílico, el óxido de polietileno, como polímero sinterizado, para retardar la liberación de la droga. Las fórmulas se prepararon mediante un método de compresión directa y se evaluaron mediante estudios de disolución in vitro. Los resultados demostraron que la temperatura de sinterización y el tiempo de exposición tuvieron una gran influencia sobre las propiedades de flotabilidad y de disolución. Se encontró que el intervalo de retardo en la flotación disminuyó, el tiempo total de flotación aumentó y se retardó la liberación de la droga, a medida que aumentaron la temperatura de sinterización y el tiempo de exposición. Se seleccionó una fórmula óptima de sinterización (temperatura de sinterización de 50°C y tiempo de exposición de 4 h), basados en las propiedades retardativas sobre la droga. La fórmula sinterizada se caracterizó mediante estudios FITR y DSC y no se encontró ninguna interacción entre la droga y el polímero utilizado.

Tratamiento exitoso de un hemangioma de parótida con propranolol / Successful treatment of parotid hemangioma by using propranolol

Los hemangiomas infantiles son los tumores vasculares benignos más frecuentes en la infancia, que ocurren mayormente en los pacientes pretérmino, en un 80 % afectan cabeza y cuello, y en algunos pacientes provocan serias complicaciones para la vida. El hemangioma de parótida es una forma clínica de presentación en la que suele verse un período proliferativo prolongado con lenta involución. Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente con diagnóstico de hemangioma de parótida con componente superficial y profundo, tratado con propranolol, con excelente respuesta al tratamiento, involución completa clínica e imaginológica del tumor en 10 semanas.

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign vascular tumors in childhood that mostly emerge in preterm patients, affect head and neck in 80% of cases and cause serious life-threatening complications for some patients. The parotid hemangioma is a clinical form of presentation that may be seen in a prolonged proliferative period with slow regression. This is the clinical case of a patient diagnosed with parotid hemangioma of superficial and deep component. He was treated with propranolol, showed excellent response to treatment, and complete clinical and imaging regression of tumor in a 10-week period.

Design and in vitro evaluation of effervescent gastric floating drug delivery systems of propanolol HCl / Diseño y evaluación in vitro de sistemas de administración de tabletas flotantes gástricas everfescentes de HCl propanolol

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate effervescent gastric floating tablets of propranolol HCl. The oral delivery of antihypertensive propranolol HCl was facilitated by preparing an effervescent floating dosage form which could increase its absorption in the stomach by increasing the drug’s gastric residence time. In the present work, effervescent floating tablets were prepared with a hydrophilic carrier such as polyethylene oxide (PEO WSR N 60K and PEO WSR 303) as a release retarding agent and sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent. The prepared tablets were evaluated for all their physicochemical properties, in vitro buoyancy, drug release and rate order kinetics. From the results, P9 was selected as an optimized formulation based on their 12 h drug release, minimal floating lag time and maximum total floating time. The optimized formulation followed first order rate kinetics with erosion mechanism. The optimized formulation was characterized with FTIR studies and no interaction between the drug and the polymers were observed.

El propósito de la presente investigación fue desarrollar y evaluar tabletas flotantes, efervescentes de HCL propranolol. La administración oral del antihipertensivo HCL propranolol se facilitó mediante la preparación de una forma de dosificación flotante y efervescente que permitiría su absorción en el estómago, mediante el aumento del tiempo de residencia gástrico de la droga. En el presente trabajo, las tabletas flotantes efervescentes fueron preparadas con un portador hidrofílico, tal como el óxido de polietileno (PEO WSR N 60K and PEO WSR 303), como agente retardador y bicarbonato de sodio como un agente generador de gas. Se evaluaron todas las propiedades fisicoquímicas de las tabletas preparadas, su flotación in vitro y su tasa de orden cinético. Se seleccionó el P9 a partir de los resultados obtenidos, como una fórmula óptima, basados en la liberación de la droga a las 12 h, tiempo mínimo de retraso para flotación y máximo tiempo total de flotación. La formulación optimizada siguió una tasa cinética de primer orden con mecanismo de erosión. Esta fórmula óptima se caracterizó mediante estudios FITR y no se observó ninguna interacción entre la droga y los polímeros utilizados.

Respuesta a la terapia combinada vs monoterapia con betabloqueantes en profilaxis primaria de sangrado variceal en pacientes con cirrosis hepática / Response to combined therapy vs beta blockers monotherapy in the primary prophylaxis of bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotics

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo comparar los resultados del propanolol combinado o no con ligadura endoscópica (LE) en la profilaxis primaria del sangrado variceal en pacientes que acudieron al Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, durante los meses de Enero a Octubre 2009. La investigación fue de tipo correlacional, prospectiva, longitudinal. La población estuvo conformada por 40 pacientes entre 18 y 75 años de edad con Cirrosis Hepática y varices esofágicas de tamaño mediano-grande con o sin signos rojos, sin antecedentes de hemorragia digestiva superior. Se seleccionaron al azar 2 grupos, el primero estuvo representado por 20 pacientes, quienes fueron sometidos a LE combinado con Propanolol y el segundo por 20 pacientes tratados sólo con Propanolol. Para la recolección de datos se diseñó un cuestionario basado en las variables, dimensiones e indicadores propuestos en la investigación. Se demostró que el propanolol como monoterapia es tan efectivo como combinado con LE en la profilaxis primaria del sangrado variceal.

This research was aim to relate the results propranolol combined or not with endoscopic ligation (LE) in the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in the Gastroenterology Service, Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, during the months of January to October 2009. A correlational, prospective, longitudinal type study. The population was 40 patients between 18 and 75 years old with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices of large-medium size, with no history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. They were two randomly selected samples, the first is represented by 20 patients who underwent LE combined with propranolol and the second 20 patients treated with propranolol alone. For data collection a questionnaire was designed based on the variables, dimensions and indicators proposed in the research. We demonstrated that monotherapy with propranolol is as effective as combined with LE in the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.

Calidad de la prescripción de propanonol en el área de salud Dr Carlos Juan Finlay / Quality of the propanolol prescription in Dr Carlos Juan Finlay health area

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de todos pacientes que consumían propanolol, independientemente de la edad, sexo, raza e indicación, a fin de evaluar la calidad de la prescripción de este medicamento por los facultativos (endocrinólogo, neurólogo y cardiólogo) responsables en el área de salud Dr Carlos Juan Finlay" de Santiago de Cuba. Los especialistas de medicina general integral tuvieron los peores resultados en cuanto a prescripción inadecuada durante el proceso, a diferencia de lo realizado por profesionales de las ramas de neurología y medicina interna. La evaluación de los resultados de la satisfacción de los proveedores de salud fue inadecuada y de los usuarios, adecuada

A descriptive and cross sectional study of all patients that were prescribed propanolol, independently of the age, sex, race and indication was carried out, in order to evaluate the quality of the prescription for this medication by doctors (endocrinologist, neurologist and cardiologist) who worked in Dr Carlos Juan Finlay health area from Santiago de Cuba. The specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine had the worst results regarding inappropriate prescription during the process, contrary to what professionals from the neurology and internal medicine specialities do. The evaluation of the satisfaction results for the health providers was inappropriate and that of the users was appropriate

The period between beta-blocker use and physical activity changes training heart rate behavior / O período entre o uso de beta-bloqueador e atividade física mudanças de formação do comportamento da freqüência cardíaca

The Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) proposes that hypertensive subjects who use beta-blockers and practice physical exercises must have their training heart rate (HR) corrected due to the negative chronotropic effect of this drug. Nevertheless, if the physical activity is performed outside of plasmatic half-life, correction may not be necessary. This study investigated the exercise chronotropic response both inside and outside the beta-blocker plasmatic half-life. Nine subjects in use of atenolol or propranolol, and six controls, carried out three walking sessions in three days according to different schedules: EX2 (two hours after drug administration, at the plasmatic peak); EX11 (eleven hours after drug administration, at the end of plasmatic half-life); and EX23 (twenty-three hours after drug administration, outside the plasmatic half-life. The walking sessions were performed on an ergometric treadmill and HR was monitored by a heart rate monitor. During the exercises, mean HRs were 97.2, 108.4 and 109 for EX2, EX11 and EX23, respectively, with the value for EX2 statistically lower than the others (p<0.05). There were no statistical differences in the control group (p>0.05). The study concludes that the attenuation of the positive chronotropic response which occurs during exercise in subjects using beta-blockers, is less evident when the exercise is performed outside the plasmatic half-life of the drug.

A Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (SBC) propõe que os hipertensos que utilizam beta-bloqueadores e praticam exercícios físicos devem ter sua frequência cardíaca de treinamento (HR) corrigida devido ao efeito cronotrópico negativo desse fármaco. Contudo, se a atividade física é realizada fora da meia-vida plasmática do fármaco, a correção pode não ser necessária. Este estudo investigou a resposta cronotrópica ao exercício dentro e fora da meia-vida plasmática do beta-bloqueador. Nove indivíduos que usavam atenolol ou propranolol e seis controles, efetuaram três sessões de caminhada em três dias, de acordo com diferentes esquemas: EX2 (duas horas após a administração do fármaco, no pico plasmático); EX11 (11 horas após a administração do fármaco, no fim da meia-vida plasmática) e EX23 (23 horas após a administração do fármaco, fora da meia-vida plasmática). As caminhadas foram realizadas em esteira ergométrica e a HR foi monitorada por monitor de freqüência cardíaca. Durante os exercícios, as HR médias foram de 97,2, 108,4 e 109, para EX2, EX11 e EX23, respectivamente, com valor de EX2 estatisticamente mais baixo do que os outros (p<0,05). Não houve diferenças estatísticas no grupo controle (p>0,05). O estudo conclui que a atenuação da resposta cronotrópica positiva, que ocorre durante o exercício em indivíduos que utilizam beta-bloqueadores, é menos evidente quando o exercício é realizado fora da meia-vida plasmática do fármaco.