One reason for this is that older adults with liver disease often have many other health challenges which make recovery from transplant surgery more difficult. However, researchers have recently reported successful liver transplants in older adults—even in people who are in their 80's.
Studies have reported on the outcomes of liver transplantation in elderly population, and data seem to suggest similar outcomes between younger transplant recipients and the carefully selected aged recipient [14]. Many centers have, therefore, increased the recipient age cut-off to patients in their late 70 s.
Is there an age limit for liver transplantation? The age limit is individualized as it varies with a patient's overall health condition. However, it is rare to offer liver transplant to someone greater than 70 years old.
Excessive brain swelling, or severe infection are signs that a patient may not be able to withstand a liver transplant.
A healthy donor must: Be between the ages of 18 and 60. Be in good physical and mental health.
You may be disqualified from having a liver transplant if you have: Current alcohol or drug abuse problems. Uncontrolled infection that will not go away with a transplant. Metastatic cancer or bile duct cancer.
"There is no standard age limit to be transplanted. Each transplant program sets its own practice. For example, one program may not accept anyone older than 80 years of age; another may have no age limit. A few medical conditions might rule out a transplant.
One reason for this is that older adults with liver disease often have many other health challenges which make recovery from transplant surgery more difficult. However, researchers have recently reported successful liver transplants in older adults—even in people who are in their 80's.
People with liver failure, which is when the liver completely shuts down, can usually only live a day or two without treatment. In some cases, liver dialysis can support a failing liver by removing toxins from the blood.
The risk of rejection is highest in the first 6 months after a transplant. After this time, your body's immune system is less likely to recognise the liver as coming from another person. Chronic rejection happens in 2 in 100 patients.
The post-transplant survival rates for patients aged younger than 70 years were 86.6% at 1 year (95% CI, 82.4-89.9; I2=99%), 73.2% at 3 years (95% CI, 63-81.3; I2=99%), and 70.1% at 5 years (95% CI, 66.8-73.2; I2=99%).
3-5% risk of life is associated with this technically complex procedure. The major risk is from infections and rejection post liver transplant. Besides, the long-term success rate of the liver transplant is also very high and you can expect 65%- 70% of survival rate 15-20 years subsequent to the transplant.
The longest surviving heart, lung and liver transplant patient is Mark Dolby (UK, b. 19 February 1961), who received a triple transplant on 21 August 1987 at Harefield Hospital, Greater London, UK.
Overall, infections are the most frequent cause of mortality in males and females, though they are significantly higher in females. In our cohort, the main causes of mortality within the first year after transplantation were infections and surgical complications in both sexes.
In summary, the leading causes of late deaths after transplant were graft failure, malignancy, cardiovascular disease and renal failure. Older age, diabetes, and renal insufficiency identified patients at highest risk of poor survival overall.
It is well known that graft survival decreases with increasing donor age and decreasing organ quality, but also that the elderly still benefited from a successful kidney transplant using high risk kidneys in terms of life expectancy as compared to their waitlisted counterparts (60).
People with higher MELD scores are generally offered donated livers first. Time spent on the liver transplant waiting list is used to break ties among people with the same MELD scores and blood types. Some liver conditions, such as liver cancer, may not result in a person getting a high MELD score.
Cirrhosis initially is reversible, but past a certain point, progression is relentless and only replacement with a healthy liver can save the patient's life (NIAAA 1993). Thus, transplantation is the only cure for advanced alcoholic cirrhosis.
The liver allograft behaves differently to other solid organ transplants as acute rejection generally does not impair graft survival and chronic rejection (CR) is uncommon. The incidence of acute and chronic rejection has declined in current era due to improved immunosuppressive regimens.
Living Donor Liver Transplant
Living donation is possible because the liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself.
The waiting period for a deceased donor transplant can range from less than 30 days to more than 5 years. How long you will wait depends on how badly you need a new liver.
Many may live for up to 20 years or more after the transplant. A study says 90% of people with transplant survive for at least 1 year, and 70% of people may live for at least 5 years after transplant.
It is suggested that patients check their insurance plans to check the coverage of the liver transplant. The cost of a liver transplant can range anywhere between 20 - 25 lakhs. This includes the pre-transplant evaluation, the surgery itself and the post-surgery recovery period.