We are flexible with regard to evaluation and testing. Many tests can be performed at your facility, at the facility of your choice or at Montefiore Medical Center.
Evaluation Process for Liver Transplantation
Mandatory education program attended by the patient and a family member or companion serving as the patient's healthcare proxy
Consultation with a transplant surgeon, hepatologist, transplant coordinator, social worker and financial counselor
Laboratory tests
CT or MRI of the abdomen
Doppler ultrasound of the liver
Echocardiogram
EKG
Chest X-ray
Pulmonary function tests
PPD to determine exposure to tuberculosis
Routine health screening, which may include mammography, colonoscopy and Pap smear
Chest CT scan and bone scan (cancer patients)
What to Expect
Consultation with a transplant psychiatrist, family physician, cardiologist, pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist
Cardiac stress test
Cardiac catheterization
Head CT scan
Liver biopsy
Because the evaluation process can be lengthy, we work with patients to make the process as convenient as possible.
All components of the evaluation must be completed before a patient may be placed on the waiting list. Each patient's case is discussed at a selection meeting attended by all transplant team members. The patient will be assigned to one of three categories: suitable for transplantation; possibly suitable, but requiring additional testing; or unsuitable for transplantation. In the event the patient is not considered a candidate for transplantation, alternative treatments will be recommended.
Patients found suitable for transplantation are immediately registered on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list, regardless of whether the organ will be procured from a living or deceased donor.
General Contraindications to Liver Transplantation
Recent or active substance abuse, including alcohol or illegally obtained drugs
Advanced or uncontrolled medical condition that would make recovery difficult or dangerous, such as serious cardiopulmonary disease, psychiatric disorder and infection
Primary liver cancer beyond stage I or II
Metastatic cancer spread to the liver
Recent or active cancer outside the liver
Inadequate social support/family assistance
Undocumented immigration status (in certain cases, legal visitors to the United States may be able to receive organ transplants)