title: Principles and clinical management of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
abstract: Alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) deficiency can cause a lung disease that, until a few years ago, has proved fatal to all patients diagnosed with this disease. This deficiency can now be treated with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, a protein derived from human plasma and delivered via intravenous infusion. Infusion therapy for alpha 1-AT deficiency can be delivered in the hospital or home environments. This article discusses the pathophysiology of alpha 1-AT deficiency and outlines nursing considerations for the intravenous clinician who is administering this therapy.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Scharnweber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
chemical_list: D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin