Transplant Evaluation
Before you can be considered a candidate for liver transplantation, a thorough evaluation of your physical and emotional status must be done on an outpatient basis. Your nurse coordinator and schedulers will arrange this for you. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine just how damaged your liver is and whether liver transplantation is the best treatment option for you. During the evaluation, you and your family may have many questions about the evaluation and what to expect when it is over. Various members of the liver transplant team will be available to answer your questions.
Tests
We will draw blood to determine your blood type and how well your organs are working. A urine test tells us if your kidneys are working well and if you are using illicit drugs. Many different tests will be done during the evaluation to determine how damaged your liver is and to determine if there are other physical problems, such as with your heart, kidneys or lungs, which might rule out liver transplant. The following tests and procedures may be done:
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- CT scan/MRI scan
- Doppler ultrasound (looks at blood flow through the vessels to your liver)
- HIV test (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram or “stress test” (looks at blood flow through the heart and the valves of your heart).
- Liver biopsy (a needle is inserted though your side into your liver to take a very small sample of your liver to help diagnose your disease; medication to numb the area will be given before the biopsy is taken).
- Endoscope (a tube is inserted through your mouth into your stomach to look for bleeding or into your colon to assess for bleeding or cancer potential).
- Pulmonary function tests (special breathing tests to check your lungs).
- Additional tests or procedures may be ordered by consulting physicians.
Upon completion of the evaluation, your case will be discussed by all team members at the Liver Transplant Selection Committee Meeting. The liver transplant team will then decide if liver transplantation is the best treatment option for you. If it is, liver transplantation will be discussed with you in more detail.
