The therapeutic efficacy of propranolol in children with recurrent primary epistaxis

Abstract

Bojko Bjelakovic,1,2 Mila Bojanovic,2,3 Stevo Lukic,2,4 Ljiljana Saranac,1,2 Vladislav Vukomanovic,5,6 Sergej Prijic,5 Nikola Zivkovic,7 Dusica Randjelovic11Clinic of Pediatrics, Clinical Center, Nis, Serbia; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia; 3Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center, Nis, Serbia; 4Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center, Nis, Serbia; 5Mother and Child Health Institute, "Dr Vukan Cupic", Belgrade, Serbia; 6Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia; 7Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, SerbiaAbstract: We hypothesized that some characteristics of beta-blockers, including negative inotropic, peripheral vasoconstrictor, and antiangiogenic effects, might be potentially useful in treating children with epistaxis. From June 2010 to March 2012, a total of seven children with recurrent primary epistaxis resistant to conventional management were observed at our institution. An overall effectiveness of propranolol was noted in all seven children when given a dose of 1.5–2 mg/kg/day (divided into three doses) as a second line therapy for terminating epistaxis. Based on our first experience, we believe that propranolol could be a favorable treatment option for patients with primary epistaxis.Keywords: beta-blocker, epistaxis, children