Prognostic parameters and indicators of deterioration of prolastin substituted alpha 1 antitrypsin deficient COPD (AAT) are poorly defined. In particular, there is a lack of information how patients with AAT report exacerbations or how intravenous therapy with prolastin is tolerated and leads to a stabilization of the clinical course of the disease. In a prospective study seven patients were followed over 36 months who received i. v. prolastin at home. Both clinical parameters such as exacerbations and spirometric lung function tests were used to monitor the clinical course of the disease. During the time period given 2.1 exacerbations/year were documented, the average lung function loss over the period of 36 month was mean FEV1 1.02 ± 0.61 l/s to 0.94 ± 0.63 l/s and mean vital capacity 2.95 ± 0.82 l to 2.87 ± 0.81 l. Complications related to home based infusion therapy did not occur. No non elective hospitalisations were reported. Taken together, this prospective feasibility trial could show that home based i. v. therapy in patients with AAT is safe and leads to less exacerbations and loss of lung function as compared to the historical cohort.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.