Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- tosse produtiva
- dispneia durante o esforço físico
- fumante atual
- exposição a gases, vapores e/ou poeira
- hepatomegalia
- ascite
- confusão
Other diagnostic factors
- 32-41 anos de idade
- sexo masculino
- sibilância
- hiperinsuflação torácica
- esclerótica ictérica/icterícia
- asterixis (flapping)
Risk factors
- história familiar de deficiência de AAT
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- nível de alfa 1-antitripsina (AAT) plasmática
- teste de função pulmonar
- radiografia torácica
- tomografia computadorizada (TC) do tórax
- TFHs
Investigations to consider
- fenotipagem
- genotipagem
- sequenciamento do gene
- testes ergométricos com análise de gasometria arterial
- alfafetoproteína
- ultrassonografia do fígado
- tomografia computadorizada (TC) abdominal
- ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) abdominal
- biópsia hepática
Treatment algorithm
alfa 1-antitripsina (AAT) plasmática baixa
Contributors
Authors
D. Kyle Hogarth, MD, FCCP

Professor
Pulmonary and Critical Care
University of Chicago
Chicago
IL
Disclosures
DKH is a consultant for Grifols, Takeda, and Wave Life Sciences, and gives lectures for Takeda; Grifols and Takeda are both makers of alpha-1 antitrypsin related products. DKH serves on the MASEK committee for the Alpha One Foundation, and is part of the A1BC study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Alpha One Foundation. DKH is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Acknowledgements
Dr D. Kyle Hogarth would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Paul J. Hutchison, a previous contributor to this topic.
Disclosures
PJH declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Jane Deng, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Los Angeles
CA
Disclosures
JD declares that she has no competing interests.
Franck Rahaghi, MD
Chair of Quality
Director
Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic
Head
Pulmonary Education and Rehabilitation
Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care
Cleveland Clinic Florida
Weston
FL
Disclosures
FR has been a consultant and speaker and has received funding from Baxter Healthcare and CSL Behring.
Graeme P. Currie, MD, FRCP
Consultant Chest Physician
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen
UK
Disclosures
GPC declares that he has no competing interests.
References
Key articles
American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement. Standards for the diagnosis and management of individuals with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003 Oct 1;168(7):818-900.Full text Abstract
Sandhaus RA, Turino G, Brantly ML, et al. The diagnosis and management of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in the adult. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis (Miami). 2016 Jun 6;3(3):668-82.Full text Abstract
Marciniuk DD, Hernandez P, Balter M, et al. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency targeted testing and augmentation therapy: a Canadian Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline. Can Respir J. 2012;19:109-116.Full text Abstract
Hill AT, Sullivan AL, Chalmers JD, et al. British Thoracic Society Guideline for bronchiectasis in adults. Thorax. 2019 Jan;74(suppl 1):1-69.Full text Abstract
Fraughen DD, Ghosh AJ, Hobbs BD, et al. Augmentation therapy for severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency improves survival and is decoupled from spirometric decline-A multinational registry analysis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023 Nov 1;208(9):964-74.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Asma
- Doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC)
- Bronquiectasia
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