Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an anti protease that protects the lungs from endogenous elastases, collagenases, and protease. These enzymes are responsible for the break down of proteins.
In smoking patients with early onset liver disease or panlobular emphysema, the diagnosis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency should be considered.
Why does it cause cirrhosis?
The cirrhosis results from the inability to release the mutated alpha-1 antitrypsin protein which is made in the liver. It accumulates in the liver and results in cellular death and necrosis.
REFERENCES
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone created in response to cardiac wall stretch due…
A common finding described on computed tomography (CT) imaging. A disease with a peribronchovascular distribution…
Though often used synonymously; Trapped Lung and Lung Entrapment technically describe separate entities along the…
It is not clearly understood why patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) develop pericardial effusions. However,…
The two drugs are not interchangeable nor dose equivalents. Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) is a semi…
Serum Creatinine can be a deceptive surrogate during an acute kidney injury. It may lag…
This website uses cookies.