The MUSC Transplant Center and the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology collaborate in the care of patients with liver disease. In addition to conventional cadaveric transplantation, MUSC is performing living donor transplantation from adults to both children and adults. This recent innovation saves lives because donor organs are scarce and there are no life support systems to sustain patients with liver failure. Liver transplant selection criteria | Indications:
Cirrhosis due to-
• Hepatitis C
• Alcohol
• Hepatitis B
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Fatty liver
• Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Primary hemochromatosis
• Other metabolic disorders
| And such disorders as-
• Biliary atresia
• Fulminant and subfulminant hepatic failure
• Polycystic liver disease
• Alagille’s syndrome
• Primary liver tumors in selected patients
| Contraindications:
• Advanced cardiopulmonary disease
• Metastatic malignancy
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Active alcohol or other substance abuse
• Documented history of non-compliance
• HIV infection
• Psychosocial instability
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There are other indications less common than those listed above. Referring physicians are invited to contact us to discuss any patients with liver disease and their transplant candidacy. The multidisciplinary approach to the care of liver patients includes a Liver Tumor Board where specialists discuss treatment options for patients with all types of liver tumors. The board includes hepatologists, transplant surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and interventional radiologists. After transplantation, the liver recipient receives care from a specialized team that closely monitors for signs of rejection and infection. The goal of the program is to return patients to their normal community life. To help reduce stress for the patients and family, referring physicians join in a recovery partnership, providing long-term lab work and patient care.
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