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Indications/Exclusions
Liver Transplantation

Indications for Transplant
Several elements are critical for normal liver function – the individual liver cells, the structure of the liver tissue, the arteries supplying blood to the liver and the veins that carry blood away from the liver. Diseases or conditions that adversely affect one or more of these elements can make it impossible for the liver to perform its vital tasks. The disease conditions that typically cause liver failure in adults are different from those affecting children.

What problems affect the liver?

Adults

• Chronic active hepatitis due to virus
• Chronic active hepatitis
• Primary liver tumor
• Alcoholic cirrhosis
• Sclerosing cholangitis
• Secondary biliary cirrhosis
• Massive hepatic necrosis

Children

• Biliary atresia
• Chronic active hepatitis
• Inborn metabolic errors
• Liver tumor
• Neonatal hepatitis

These diseases listed above can cause you to have an unhealthy liver. An unhealthy liver cannot perform some or all of its functions, and you may develop complications. These complications can be:

• Abnormally yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes
• Dark urine
• Gray, yellow or light-colored stools
• Abdominal swelling
• Prolonged generalized itching
• Unusual change of weight
• Abdominal pain
• Sleep disturbances, mental confusion and coma
• Fatigue of loss of stamina
• Loss of sexual drive or performance
• Bleeding tendencies

Excluding Reasons
Contraindications to liver transplant are listed below. However, each patient is assessed on an individual basis.

Absolute

• Primary unresectable malignancy outside the liver
• Active infection or sepsis
• Irreversible brain damage

Relative

• Active alcoholism
• Age over 70 years
• Lack of psychosocial support

Advanced non-hepatic disease (i.e.: cardiac or respiratory disease)

Health Information
The Liver

• The Biliary System
• Common Characteristics of Liver Disease
• Common Liver Function Tests
• Disorders of the Liver
  • Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease
  • Chronic Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
  • Virus-Induced Liver Disease / Hepatitis
  • Congenital Defects
  • Liver Tumors
  • Other Disorders

Related Links
Transplantation Services
Liver Transplantation