Selection of patients for liver transplantation and allocation of donated livers in the UK
Background:The increasing shortfall between the number of patients who would benefit from liver transplantation and the availability of donor livers means that rationing has to occur. The processes of selection of patients for transplantation and for allocation of donor livers should be done accordi...
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Published in | Gut Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 252 - 257 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology
01.02.2008
BMJ BMJ Publishing Group LTD |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background:The increasing shortfall between the number of patients who would benefit from liver transplantation and the availability of donor livers means that rationing has to occur. The processes of selection of patients for transplantation and for allocation of donor livers should be done according to ethical and, where possible, evidence-based criteria so that there is clarity and that the competing requirements of equity, justice, utility and benefit can be balanced.Methods:To achieve these goals for patients in the United Kingdom in need of transplantation, we have developed guidelines for the selection of patients to the national waiting list based on the risk of death without a transplant and the ability of the procedure to improve the recipient’s quality of life. Guidelines have been developed for both those with acute liver failure and chronic liver disease. Allocation will depend on matching of the donor liver to the recipient.Results:The proposed system, to be introduced into the UK compares with some other systems, where different models for selection and allocation have been introduced. |
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Bibliography: | ark:/67375/NVC-8R11JC5L-Q href:gutjnl-57-252.pdf ArticleID:gt131730 local:gutjnl;57/2/252 istex:8FA270CF8A6AAC027CC83C0B454E3618D0CBE79D PMID:17895356 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0017-5749 1468-3288 |
DOI: | 10.1136/gut.2007.131730 |