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Liver Transplantation Using Grafts from Donation After Cardiac Death Donors

  • Solid Organ Transplantation (C Sonnenday, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Utilization of liver grafts from donation after cardiac death donors has been proposed as a potential solution to the organ shortage for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease. The number of donation after cardiac death donors is likely to increase as a consequence of changing demographics and improvements in neurologic care. This potential has not been realized to full effect due to reports of inferior outcomes of liver transplantation using these grafts. In order to continue to provide excellent transplant care, it is critical to have an understanding of the factors necessary for successful use of liver grafts from donation after cardiac death donors. In this review, we will appraise the current understanding of the challenges involved in using these grafts, the critical recipient and donor considerations, and future directions.

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Correspondence to C. Burcin Taner.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Solid Organ Transplantation.

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Lee, D.D., Saucedo-Crespo, H. & Taner, C.B. Liver Transplantation Using Grafts from Donation After Cardiac Death Donors. Curr Surg Rep 3, 26 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40137-015-0105-2

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