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Liver Transplant Evaluation
According to The United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), in combination with the VCU Health Systems and the Hume-Lee Transplant Center , guidelines have been developed to determine which patients may be candidates for liver transplantation. This is based upon a series of laboratory blood tests, x-rays and interviews with members of the liver transplant team.
The liver transplant evaluation requires several days to complete. A schedule will be given to you which shows an overview of what testing will be performed during this time.
Lab Work
Blood tests are drawn to determine liver, and kidney function and to assess for possible infectious diseases. Lab tests will be done to determine:
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Prior exposure to viruses which could damage the new liver after transplant
- To test the immune system
Cardiac Evaluation
This plays a key role to determine if you will be able to safely go through a major surgery such as liver transplantation. It is important to understand why you need a healthy heart for liver transplantation. This will be explained in further detail when we discuss the surgery.
 EKG (electrocardiogram) is a very simple test where a rhythm of your heart is recorded on a machine.
Echocardiogram. A picture of your heart is seen on an ultrasound machine to evaluate the valves and functioning of your heart.
Cardiac Catherization will be required for patients meeting any of the following criteria:
- If your are 50 years of age or a diabetic
- Abnormal heart tests
- If you have a history of heart disease or any heart related illnesses.
You will be sedated for this procedure. A catheter will be placed in your groin area and dye will be injected to look at your heart with a specialized machine.
You may have to come back for further testing if there are any questions about preliminary testing: for example if your echocardiogram is abnormal you may have to have a more intense stress test or cardiac cathe ter ization.
Pulmonary Evaluation
 This testing involves monitoring how well your lungs are functioning by looking at the oxygen in your blood. ( Pulmonary Function Test)
This is a procedure by which blood is drawn from the artery in your arm, oxygen is applied to see how your body responds. (Arterial Blood Gas)
You will be on a breathing machine after surgery and it is important to have a baseline to determine when you may be able to come off of the breathing machine.
Chest X-RAY is simply taking a radiographic picture of your lungs.
Duplex Ultrasound
The surgeons work with the different blood vessels of your liver and they need to make sure they are all open. This gives us a picture of your liver and looks at all of the blood to see if it is flowing properly.
Certain liver diseases are prone to cancer and this needs to be evaluated to make sure there is not a cancer present. If there are any questions about the ultrasound you may need to have further testing done. A blockage of your blood vessels could potentially eliminate you from having a transplant
Endoscopy
This a requirement for all patients. You will be sedated for this testing. This procedure is used to determine if you have any enlarged blood vessels or abnormalities located in your stomach or esophagus. (Also known as varices) A scope is used that can view your stomach and esophagus and , if needed , take pictures.
Colonoscopy
If you are 50 years or older this is a requirement as part of your testing. You will be sedated for this procedure. You may also need this procedure if you have a history of ulcerative colitis or any type of bowel disease. This procedure uses a scope to view you r colon to rule out any cancer, abnormal polyps or bleeding due to abnormal vessels or tissue.
Dental Screening
All women must have:
- Pap Smear
- Baseline mammogram
Note: You will need to have nothing to eat or drink for 6-8 hours prior to the co l onoscopy, endoscopy, duplex ultrasound, MRI, cardiac cathe te rization, or any type of stress test.
Bring all your medications and extra supply of these in the event
you may have to stay longer than you expect.
Note: Please be prepared to return for further testing in the event
you may have something abnormal in your preliminary testing.
If you have transportation problems or live a distance away
please make other arrangements if possible.
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