Preoperative Liver Recipient Evaluation and Preparation

Liver transplantation is an established mode of treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure. Initial challenges in liver transplantation included perfection in surgical techniques, organ procurement, and management of immunosuppression post liver transplantation. Currently one of the biggest challenges is shortage of donor organs creating a wait list of patients with unique complications of end-stage liver disease. These patients need meticulous care which results in significant burden on the health care system. The goal of this chapter is to describe indications and contraindications for liver transplantation, discuss medical management of patients on the liver transplant waitlist, and outline the pre liver transplant evaluation process.