Liver Transplants Endorsed

Abstract

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference on Liver Transplantation has concluded that, with some exceptions, transplantation could be considered for most patients who are near death with liver disease. This recommendation comes despite problems in interpreting existing data on survival rates. The panel did not address the issues of who should pay for liver transplants, or of how many donor livers would be needed if more transplantation centers were established. (KIE abstract)