Long-term results after lung volume reduction surgery in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.
BACKGROUND
The favorable effects of lung volume reduction surgery for selected patients with smoker's emphysema has been demonstrated. However, outcome data for patients with alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema are scarce.


METHODS
We prospectively studied pulmonary function, dyspnea, and 6-minute walking distance in 21 patients with severe alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema (PiZZ 18, PiZO 1, PiSZ 2, 10 female patients, median age 56 years, range 38-74 years) for as long as 5 years after thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery.


RESULTS
Lung volume reduction surgery improved the mean dyspnea score, from 3.7 +/- 0.1 preoperatively to 1.4 +/- 0.2 at 3 months; the score remained improved for as long as 3.5 years. Mean vital capacity (% predicted) improved from 79% +/- 4.4% to 98% +/- 4.8% at 3 months, and the ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity decreased from 0.67 to 0.51. These improvements lasted for as long as 2 years. The mean airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 second % predicted) improved from 27% +/- 1.9% to 38% +/- 3.3% at 3 months and remained statistically improved for 1 year. Four patients showed long-term improvement in lung function for as long as 3.5 years. These patients had markedly heterogeneous emphysema and showed no radiologic signs of airway inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Lung volume reduction surgery in patients with advanced emphysema from alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency results in a significant improvement in dyspnea and lung function for as long as 3.5 years in some cases. It appears that magnitude and duration of these effects are inferior and shorter than those in patients with pure smoker's emphysema. Patients with heterogeneous disease and no or minor inflammatory airway disease may benefit most.
Tutic
Michaela
M
Division of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Bloch
Konrad E
KE
Lardinois
Didier
D
Brack
Thomas
T
Russi
Erich W
EW
Weder
Walter
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology