Prospective Evaluation of a Selection Protocol for Patients Over 70 Years Old for Liver Transplantation
Increased life expectancy and aging population has led to a trend of increasing liver transplant (LT) volume in the elderly. Nowadays, advanced age is not considered an absolute contraindication for LT but elderly LT candidates typically have an age-associated burden of comorbid conditions that can pose several clinical challenges during the selection/evaluation process for LT. Specific algorithms for elderly patient selection for LT are not well established; however, consensus agreement is that elderly LT candidates need a more rigorous selection process. This study proposes a step by step algorithm of selection for liver transplant candidates more than 70 years.
• Age \>70 years and ≤ 75 years
• Liver transplant from cadaveric donor
• First liver transplant
• End stage liver disease or liver tumor