Intended for US Audience Only.

Should Your COPD or Emphysema Patient Be Tested for AAT Deficiency*?

*Also known as AAT Deficiency, AATD, A1-PI deficiency, alpha-1 proteinase deficiency, A1AD, or hereditary or genetic emphysema.

"It is recommended that all subjects with COPD or asthma characterized by incompletely reversible air flow obstruction should be tested once for AAT deficiency."1

- American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS)

Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) is simple.

  1. Request a complimentary AlphaTest® Kit.
  2. Obtain a finger-stick blood sample on the specially designed filter paper.
  3. Submit sample in the pre-addressed, postage paid envelope to the Alpha1 Center, a specialty clinical diagnostic lab.
  4. Receive results in approximately 2 weeks.

For more information about AATD, visit alpha1health.com/hcp for detailed information about AATD genetics, symptoms, diagnosis, and therapy options.

ATS/ERS Standards state –

Testing is recommended for:1

  • Symptomatic adults with emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma with airflow obstruction that is incompletely reversible after aggressive treatment with bronchodilators.
  • Individuals with unexplained liver disease, including neonates, children and adults (particularly the elderly)
  • Asymptomatic individuals with persistent obstruction on pulmonary function tests with identifiable risk factors (e.g., cigarette smoking, occupational exposure)
  • Adults with necrotizing panniculitis
  • Siblings of an individual with AATD

ATS/ERS Standards recommend testing be discussed with:1

  • Adults with bronchiectasis without evident etiology
  • Adolescents with persistent airflow obstruction
  • Asymptomatic individuals with persistent airflow obstruction and no risk factors
  • Adults with C-ANCA-positive (anti-proteinase-3-positive) vasculitis
  • Individuals with a family history of COPD or liver disease not known to be attributed to AATD
  • Distant relatives of an individual who is homozygous for AATD
  • Offspring or parents of an individual with homozygous AATD
  • Siblings, offspring, parents, or distant relatives of an individual who is heterozygous for AATD
  • Individuals at high risk of having AATD deficiency-related diseases
  • Individuals who are not at risk themselves of having AAT deficiency but who are partners of individuals who are homozygous or heterozygous for AAT deficiency.


ARALAST NP [Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)]

ARALAST NP is indicated for chronic augmentation therapy in patients having congenital deficiency of A1-PI with clinically evident emphysema. ARALAST NP is not indicated as therapy for lung disease patients in whom congenital A1-PI deficiency has not been established.

In a clinical trial, the most common adverse events deemed related to ARALAST NP included headache and musculoskeletal discomfort. No serious adverse reactions or deaths were reported in the study. In a clinical trial of ARALAST, the most common adverse events were headache and somnolence.

Please refer to the Aralast NP Important Risk Information link for more detailed risk information and the ARALAST NP Prescribing Information link for full prescribing details.

  1. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Standards for the diagnosis and management of individuals with AAT deficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003; 168:818-900.