Liver transplant referral
Liver transplantation provides excellent outcomes for patients with decompensated cirrhosis or early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients who are not referred until they have severe liver failure may not be suitable for transplantation, so early referral is recommended.
Consider referral to a liver transplant team for patients with:
- refractory ascites
- an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
- hepatorenal syndrome
- recurrent or chronic hepatic encephalopathy
- small hepatocellular carcinoma(s)
- hepatopulmonary syndrome
- significant malnutrition
- a Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 13 or above1.
Contraindications to liver transplantation may include advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, extrahepatic malignancy, uncontrolled extrahepatic infection, active alcohol abuse or substance misuse, significant coronary or cerebrovascular disease, or inadequate social support.
For more information about liver transplantation, see the Donate Life website.