Three cases of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in the elderly

We report three elderly patients who presented with increasing dyspnoea on exertion and radiological evidence of basal bullous emphysema. On further investigation they were found to have alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. We emphasize that alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency can present much later than is usually the case especially if the patient is a life-long non-smoker.