Christopher B Hughes1, Abhinav Humar2. 1. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3459 Fifth Avenue, MUH N725, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. hughescb@upmc.edu. 2. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3459 Fifth Avenue, MUH N725, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to summarize the allocation challenges facing the field of liver transplantation while providing examples of the expansion of indications for the procedure. METHODS: UNOS allocation policy was reviewed as well as the recent literature describing expanded criteria for recipient candidate selection. RESULTS: Liver allocation policy changes for deceased-donor organs remain gridlocked in legal and bureaucratic red tape. Meanwhile, the indications for liver transplantation are being expanded to include acute alcoholic hepatitis, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and colorectal metastasis, previously viewed as absolute contraindications, but under strict selection criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Attempting to meet the demand for livers, transplant centers are increasingly turning to living donor liver transplantation, protocols such as HCV-positive to HCV-negative transplants, and machine perfusion of marginal organs.
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to summarize the allocation challenges facing the field of liver transplantation while providing examples of the expansion of indications for the procedure. METHODS: UNOS allocation policy was reviewed as well as the recent literature describing expanded criteria for recipient candidate selection. RESULTS: Liver allocation policy changes for deceased-donor organs remain gridlocked in legal and bureaucratic red tape. Meanwhile, the indications for liver transplantation are being expanded to include acute alcoholic hepatitis, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and colorectal metastasis, previously viewed as absolute contraindications, but under strict selection criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Attempting to meet the demand for livers, transplant centers are increasingly turning to living donor liver transplantation, protocols such as HCV-positive to HCV-negative transplants, and machine perfusion of marginal organs.
Authors: Hugo Pinto-Marques; Joana Cardoso; Sílvia Silva; João L Neto; Maria Gonçalves-Reis; Daniela Proença; Marta Mesquita; André Manso; Sara Carapeta; Mafalda Sobral; Antonio Figueiredo; Clara Rodrigues; Adelaide Milheiro; Ana Carvalho; Rui Perdigoto; Eduardo Barroso; José B Pereira-Leal Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2022-08-01 Impact factor: 13.787