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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the chronic blockage of airways in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. While extremely rare, a genetic disorder known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT) can cause COPD. This hereditary condition results in a dramatic decrease in the amount of the protein alpha-1-antitrypsin, essential to protecting the lungs from damage. In addition to traditional medical treatment options for COPD, augmentation therapy is also used for AAT deficiency patients. Weekly, intravenous infusions of the missing protein are given to increase the protein's concentration in the blood and lungs.
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