End-stage liver disease and indications for liver transplantation

Abstract

Cirrhosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Once a patient develops complications from cirrhosis such as hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, esophageal variceal bleeding, or hepatocellular carcinoma, a liver transplantation should be considered. Patients with fulminant hepatic failure, systemic complications of liver disease, and liver-specific metabolic defects should also be considered for transplant. The evaluation for liver transplant is extensive and rigorous and involves numerous members from the transplant team to determine if transplantation is medically and psychosocially appropriate and technically feasible and is in the best interests of the patient.