J Korean Med Assoc.  2003 Sep;46(9):845-850. 10.5124/jkma.2003.46.9.845.

Indication and Prognosis of Liver Transplantation

• Joh JW

• KMID: 2183125
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2003.46.9.845

Abstract

Liver transplantation is the only hope for patients with terminal liver cirrhosis. Liver transplantation has evolved rapidly over the past two dacades, and its indication has been expanded. The most common indication of liver transplantation is terminal liver cirrhosis from any cause (hepatitis B, hepatitis C/non-A,non-B, alcoholic, autoimmune and others). Other indications are hepatic neoplasm, fulminant hepatic failure, biliary atresia, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and some metabolic diseases. Liver transplantation can be always considered as an option for life-saving treatment in case of failure of liver function. So we should consider absolutes contraindications of liver transplantation : active substance abuse, unstableactive cardiopulmonary disease, incurable extrahepatic malignancy, active uncontrolled and untreatable sepsis, active HIV infection (unresponsive to treatment), inadequate social support, extreme psychosocial dysfunction, and extensive vascular thrombosis precluding liver transplantation. For improved survival and better prognosis in cases of liver transplantation much attention is needed for careful long-term follow-up and surveillance for cardiovascular risk factors, de novo malignancy, and metabolic factors.

Keyword

Liver transplantation; Indication; Contraindication; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Alcoholics
Biliary Atresia
Cholangitis, Sclerosing
Hepatitis
HIV Infections
Hope
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary
Liver Failure, Acute
Liver Neoplasms
Liver Transplantation*
Liver*
Metabolic Diseases
Prognosis*
Risk Factors
Sepsis
Substance-Related Disorders
Thrombosis

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