Liver Transplant Evaluation and Assessment Guide

The liver - its function and anatomy

Liver function is essential to life. The liver performs a variety of very important functions and has the ability to repair itself.

It has a considerable reserve but there are many illnesses that lead to gradual damage and deterioration of the liver’s functions. Once the deterioration has continued to the point where there is not enough healthy tissue available to support the normal bodily functions, treatment options need to be considered. Transplantation is one option that will return an improved quality of life.

Common indications for liver transplantation include:

• Cirrhosis due to chronic viral hepatitis for example Hepatitis B or C infection
• Alcohol related liver disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Autoimmune liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cholangitis
• Liver failure due to severe drug reactions
• Inherited causes of liver disease and some metabolic disorders.

More information on your liver condition will be available from your treating doctor.

Liver functions

The liver has many important roles in keeping the body functioning.

• Production of bile and bile salts. These help in the digestion and absorption of fats, fat-soluble vitamins and calcium salts.
• Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats
• Storage of glycogen, Vitamins A, D and B12, iron, lipids and cholesterol.
• Production of some blood products, albumin and clotting factors
• Metabolism or breakdown of various drugs and chemicals that would be harmful to the body.

When the liver is no longer able to complete these roles properly, we start to see complications of liver failure.

Anatomy

This diagram will assist you to have a better understanding of where the organs are located in the abdomen.

In this guide:

1. Information and contact details for the liver transplant hepatology team
2. The liver - its function and anatomy
3. Signs of liver disease
4. Pre-transplant assessment and evaluation
5. The assessment team
6. Allied Health Services
7. Palliative care
8. Pharmacy—medications before your transplant
9. Case discussion and assessment presentation
10. Will I make the list?
11. The liver transplant waiting list
12. Model for End stage Liver Disease (MELD)
13. Support Through Education Program (STEP)
14. The Donor
15. What happens when you are notified that a donor liver is available?
16. The liver transplant operation
17. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patient information
18. The recovery period
19. Pharmacy—medications after your transplant
20. Rejection
21. Donor family correspondence and information
22. Glossary

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