An overview of Liver Transplant
A liver transplant test is a comprehensive evaluation process to determine a patient's suitability for a liver transplant. This evaluation helps assess whether the person is healthy enough to undergo the surgery and can tolerate post-transplant medications. The evaluation process includes various tests, procedures, and consultations to assess the health of the patient's organs, cardiovascular system, and overall health.
What is Liver Transplant used for?
A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a non-functioning or damaged liver with a healthy liver from a deceased donor or a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor. It is typically reserved for individuals with end-stage chronic liver disease or acute liver failure, and is used to treat conditions such as liver cancer and liver failure not responding to other treatments. Living-donor liver transplants are an alternative option for some patients when the number of people waiting for a liver transplant exceeds the number of available deceased-donor livers.
How to prepare for Liver Transplant?
Patients undergoing a liver transplant evaluation should maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. They should keep all appointments with their healthcare team leading up to the evaluation and stay involved in healthy activities. Patients waiting for a donated liver should ensure that their transplant team can reach them at all times and keep their packed hospital bag ready. They should also arrange for transportation to the transplant center in advance. On the day of the evaluation, patients should follow any specific instructions provided by their healthcare team. After the evaluation, patients should follow any post-procedure instructions provided to them, such as taking prescribed medications and adhering to any dietary or activity restrictions.
How is Liver Transplant conducted?
The liver transplant evaluation process involves several tests, procedures, and consultations to determine whether a patient is healthy enough to undergo the transplant and have a successful post-transplant recovery. These tests may include laboratory tests such as blood and urine tests to assess the health of the organs, imaging tests such as an ultrasound of the liver, heart tests to determine the health of the cardiovascular system, a general health exam, and routine cancer screening tests. Additionally, patients may undergo nutrition counseling, psychological evaluation, meetings with social workers to assess their support network, and addiction counseling if needed. Once all the tests and consultations are completed, the transplant center's selection committee meets to determine whether a liver transplant is the best treatment and whether the patient is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. If the answer to both questions is yes, then the patient is placed on the liver transplant waiting list.
How are Liver Transplant results reported?
After the transplant assessment process is complete and the results are available, the transplant center will report the liver transplant results to the patient. These results may include information about the patient's eligibility for a transplant, their position on the waiting list, and any recommendations from the transplant team. The center will communicate these findings through consultations or meetings with the healthcare team and may also provide written reports or documentation outlining the liver transplant results. It is essential to stay in close contact with the transplant team and ask any questions to better understand the situation and what to expect in the future.
Understanding the report
The interpretation of liver transplant results involves assessing various factors, such as the patient's MELD or PELD score, laboratory tests, imaging tests, heart tests, general health exam, nutrition assessment, psychological evaluation, and social support network. These factors help determine the severity of the liver disease, the urgency of a transplant, and the patient's overall health. Based on these results, the transplant center's selection committee decides whether a liver transplant is the best treatment and whether the patient is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. If the evaluation is favorable, the patient will be placed on the liver transplant waiting list.