Liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis: update

Purpose of review Alcoholic liver disease continues to be a major public health concern in the United States and around the world. Alcoholic liver disease remains the third most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Mortality has been reported in up to 30–50% of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Liver transplantation can be lifesaving for patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease was traditionally only considered in patients who have achieved 6 months of abstinence. The majority of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis who fail medical therapy will not live long enough to meet this requirement. The purpose of this review is to provide an update from the most recent peer reviewed articles regarding early liver transplantation of alcoholic hepatitis. Recent findings This review shows that liver transplantation offers the best survival benefit to patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Selection criteria is a key component for a successful transplant. No change in 1-year graft survival between patients who have 6 months sobriety vs. those transplanted prior to 6 months abstinence. Liver transplantation is limited by very narrow selection criteria and limited long-term data. Summary Liver transplantation offers the best survival benefit to patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Selection criteria of patients has evolved and have become more permissive and the period of sobriety has become less impo...
Source: Current Opinion in Gastroenterology - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: LIVER: Edited by Don C. Rockey Source Type: research