Transplant Institute
The Transplant Institute, part of the Department of Surgery, offers nationally recognized patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Eligibility & Evaluation for Liver Transplant
Learn whether a liver transplant is possible for you
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Criteria for Liver Transplant & Beginning the Process to Get a New Liver
When you need a liver transplant, it’s major surgery. A transplant can give you more independence, boost your energy and help you have a better quality of life. But it comes with lifelong responsibilities to care for yourself and your new organ. It’s a treatment, not a cure.
To make sure the surgery is the right treatment for you and to confirm you’re a good candidate, Transplant Institute staff provide a thorough liver transplant evaluation. We look at your physical health, mental well-being and ability to manage medications and care plans. We also consider your support system. Confirming you meet all the requirements for a successful transplant is an important part of getting good results from your surgery.
Am I Eligible for Liver Transplant?
There can be a number of reasons for a liver transplant. Some diseases damage your liver quickly, in a matter of days or weeks. More commonly, other disease are chronic and do damage over and extended time. Specialists at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) Liver Center offer expert care for liver diseases.
At some point, your liver may no longer be able to do the work it needs to do to keep you alive. To be eligible for a liver transplant, you must:
- Have advanced or end-stage liver disease.
- Have deteriorating liver function and quality of life.
- Be unable to benefit from other medical and surgical treatments.
Our team will set up a consultation with you to see if you meet the criteria to be eligible for liver transplant.
More About Liver Transplant Eligibility & Evaluation
Leading-Edge Transplant Care for People with HIV
At one time, people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, were not considered for liver transplant. They have a high-risk for end-stage liver disease, and they used to have a poor long-term prognosis.
Now, if you have HIV and need a liver transplant, you may be able to get it at BIDMC.
Newer treatments have improved the outlook for HIV. This, in turn, has opened doors for people with the virus to have liver transplants.
Your Initial Screening
The evaluation for liver transplant begins with a consult. We have you meet with as many members of our team on one day as possible to streamline your visit. The main goals of this initial meeting are to determine:
- If a transplant is the best treatment to address your liver disease.
- If your overall condition will allow you to safely have a transplant.
Please arrive at this initial consultation with a close friend or family member, whoever will be your caregiver and part of your support team. This person will be involved in your care before, during and after your transplant.
Evaluation & Medical Tests
Our team will complete a full assessment of your medical records prior to your appointment.
During your appointment, we gather your complete medical history, conduct a physical exam and review all outside records. Our transplant hepatologist assesses your liver disease and general health and decides whether a liver transplant is a suitable treatment for you. We may discuss alternative therapies and how to best manage your condition without surgery.
Part of your evaluation includes an assessment of your personal support system. Our transplant social worker conducts this assessment. Having a supportive family and friends who are committed to your health and well-being is vital to a successful transplant.
During one of your clinic visits, the social worker or psychologist reviews our Patient Responsibility Agreement with you. Specialists from behavioral health are available to help you if you need to make lifestyle changes.
Preparing for Transplant
If you qualify for an organ transplant, decisions about moving forward are yours alone. If you decide to proceed, we explain what to expect and help you prepare. We’re here to provide information and support if you or your family members have questions or concerns.
