Pre-transplant Evaluation
Patients with liver disease are typically referred to the UCSD Center for Transplantation by their hepatologist or gastroenterologist. Diagnostic testing usually begins within one week from the time of referral and test results are communicated back to the referring physician. Tests may include:
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Blood tests to help assess liver and kidney function
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Ultrasound scan to examine blood flow to and from the liver and locate any masses in the liver
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Chest X-ray to determine the health of lungs and bones
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Electrocardiogram to help identify irregularities in heart rhythm
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Pulmonary function test to measure lung capacity
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Other tests, as necessary
The liver transplant team explains the benefits and drawbacks of transplantation to patients and their family members. Since strong family support is critical for transplant recipients, a family support evaluation is conducted by the transplant social worker. In addition, patients meet with the transplant team before being placed on a national computerized waiting list for a liver donor.
The Donation Process
When organs are donated, the procuring organization contacts the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Information about the donor is entered into the database and a computerized donor/recipient match is run for each donated organ. The resulting list of potential recipients is ranked according to objective medical criteria such as blood and tissue type, size of the organ, medical urgency of the patient, time already spent on the waiting list and distance between donor and recipient.
Using the match of potential recipients, the local organ procurement coordinator contacts the transplant center of the highest ranked patient and offers the organ. Once the organ is accepted for a patient, transportation arrangements are made and the transplant surgery is scheduled.
Every patient waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S. is registered in the UNOS computerized data network. All have equal access to donated organs. Waiting times can vary from months to several years due to matching difficulties.
Preparing for a Transplant
The patient or patient’s family is notified when a donor organ becomes available. The patient is told when to come to the hospital and should not eat or drink anything after midnight or once learning a liver is available. The patient should bring the following items to the hospital:
Once further tests and evaluations are finalized, the transplant team completes standard pre-operative preparations and proceeds with the transplant.