A Respiratory Therapist’s Perspective on Alpha1-Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency | ALPHAS OUT LOUD

Watch respiratory therapy director Gretchen Kolhoff as she discusses her personal experiences with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, also known as genetic COPD, alpha-1, or AAT deficiency. Gretchen has extensive experience as a respiratory therapist. She emphasizes the urgency of screening for alpha-1, as it can present just like standard COPD or treatment-resistant asthma, but can only be detected through a simple lab test. Gretchen encourages other pulmonary practices to designate an alpha-champion and to make alpha-1 screening a part of their routine, particularly during pulmonary function tests. In addition, major respiratory guidelines, including ATS and GOLD, recommend screening all COPD patients for alpha-1. Free alpha-1 test kits are available for HCPs to screen their patients with COPD or treatment-resistant asthma for alpha-1. More information about alpha-1: https://www.alphaid.com/en/hcp/alpha-... Alpha-1 screening guidelines: https://www.alphaid.com/en/hcp/alpha1... Order free AlphaID™ screening kits:https://www.alphaid.com/en/hcp/order-... ATS, American Thoracic Society; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.