Alpha 1 Antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary condition characterized by low serum
Alpha 1 Antitrypsin (AAT) levels and a predisposition towards early-onset
emphysema. Infusion of AAT is the only disease-modifying
therapy that can sufficiently raise plasma AAT levels above the putative protective threshold and reduce the decline in lung density loss. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and registry studies support the clinical efficacy of AAT
therapy in slowing the progression of AATD-related
emphysema and improving survival outcomes. The
COVID-19 pandemic has prompted physicians to develop additional strategies for delivering AAT
therapy, which are not only more convenient for the patient, but are "
COVID-19 friendly", thereby reducing the risk of exposing these vulnerable patients. Intravenous (IV)
self-administration of AAT
therapy is likely to be beneficial in certain subgroups of patients with AATD and can remove the need for weekly hospital visits, thereby improving independence and well-being. Increasing the awareness of
self-administration in AATD through the development of formal guidelines and training programs is required among both physicians and patients and will play an essential role, especially post-COVID-19, in encouraging physicians to consider
self-administration for AATD in suitable patients. This review summarizes the benefits of AAT
therapy on the clinical endpoints of mortality and quality of life (QoL) and discusses the benefits of
self-administration therapy compared with conventional
therapy administered by a healthcare professional. In addition, this review highlights the challenges of providing AAT
therapy during the
COVID-19 pandemic and the potential considerations for its implementation thereafter.