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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Physical examination of patients with AATD is usually remarkable for signs that are characteristic of increased respiratory work, airflow obstruction and hyperinflation that varies according to the severity of emphysema. Patients with mild emphysema usually have no abnormal findings on physical examination. Patient may appear normal on physical examination. Those with severe emphysema develop tachypnea and pursed-lip breathing. Other findings on physical examination include pulsus paradoxus, scalene muscle retraction, intercostal muscle retraction, wheezing, hepatomegaly, hyperinflation results in barrel chest, increased percussion note, decreased breath sound intensity, distant heart sounds.

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Physical examination of patients with AATD is usually remarkable for signs characteristic of increased respiratory work, airflow obstruction and hyperinflation that varies according to the severity of emphysema.[1][2]

Patients with mild emphysema usually have no abnormal findings on physical examination.

Appearance of the Patient

  • Patient may appear normal
  • Those with severe emphysema develop tachypnea and pursed-lip breathing

Vital Signs

Neck

Thorax

Abdomen

References

References

  1. ↑ Cox DW, Levison H (1988). “Emphysema of early onset associated with a complete deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin (null homozygotes)”. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 137 (2): 371–5. doi:10.1164/ajrccm/137.2.371. PMID 3257661.
  2. ↑ Turino GM, Barker AF, Brantly ML, Cohen AB, Connelly RP, Crystal RG, Eden E, Schluchter MD, Stoller JK (1996). “Clinical features of individuals with PI*SZ phenotype of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency Registry Study Group”. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 154 (6 Pt 1): 1718–25. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.154.6.8970361. PMID 8970361.


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mazia Fatima, MBBS [2]