The rising use of expanded criteria donors in an aging patient population makes careful selection of donors and recipients increasingly important. Understand the complex interplay between factors such as donor age, risk index, sex, race, and genetics, as well as the etiology of the liver disease in the recipient, to improve patient outcomes.

ince the first liver transplant operation in 1963, the field has experienced huge medical and surgical advances. Drs. Miller and Diago Uso review the complex interplay of donor and recipient factors which now contribute to 5-year survival rates approaching 75 per cent.

Liver transplant recipients generally need lifelong immunosuppression - approximately 7 to 17 per cent of patients experience an episode of acute cellular rejection with 3 to 12 months of LT, respectively.

Acute liver failure (ALF) manifests in patients without preexisting liver disease or cirrhosis, and the results can be devastating. Most patients quickly become critically ill, and approximately one third of ALF patients won't survive without liver transplantation. Read expert commentary from Dr. Oren Fix on the etiology, risks, and prognosis, to better manage patients with ALF.

High demand and low supply remains a constant challenge in liver transplantation, but in some cases extended criteria donor liver allografts provide an effective alternative.

HCV infection universally recurs in patients who are viremic at the time of transplantation, leading to reduced graft survival and increased patient mortality. Review the current interferon-based therapies and learn about emerging drugs and interferon-free treatment from experts Dr. Asmeen Bhatt and Dr. Gregory Everson.

Liver allograft biopsy is crucial to the posttransplant management of patients treated for end-stage chronic liver disease, ALF, or HCC. Markers of graft injury such as parenchymal and biliary injury can be useful, but aren't specific, and enzyme changes may lack sensitivity in the context of transplantation.

Interview with Josh Levitsky

Interview with Paul Martin

Interview with Interview with Charles Miller