Evolving trends in liver transplantation: listing and liver donor allocation

Clin Liver Dis. 2014 Aug;18(3):519-27. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2014.05.014.

Abstract

The success of liver transplantation in the past three decades as a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease has led to the ever-increasing disparity between the demands for liver transplantation and the supply of donor liver organs. Donor allocation and distribution remains a challenge and a moral issue as to how these organs can be equitably distributed. This article reviews the evolution of the liver allocation policy and discusses in detail the challenges clinicians face today in this area of medicine.

Keywords: Chronic liver disease; Liver donor allocation; Liver transplantation; MELD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • End Stage Liver Disease / surgery
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Liver Transplantation / trends*
  • Living Donors
  • Patient Selection
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement
  • United States
  • Waiting Lists