How to Pre Test for a Liver Transplant

Liver transplant surgery is a life-saving option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Your liver plays a role in more than 400 bodily functions on a daily basis and is essential to sustaining life. A liver transplant removes your liver and replaces it with a healthy one. According to the American Liver Foundation, more than 17,000 people in the United States are on the waiting list to receive a liver. Since there is a greater demand than supply of donated livers, candidates for liver transplantation must pass rigorous eligibility requirements and pre-transplantation testing.

Instructions

Pre-Transplant Testing and Evaluation

• 1

  Schedule an appointment for your pre-transplant testing with your transplant team. This is the first step to being evaluated for potential eligibility as a liver recipient.

• 2

  Be prepared for a long day. You will be required to have an HIV test and may also undergo an ultrasound to visualize your liver and its blood flow, blood tests to assess liver and kidney functions, chest X-ray to ensure that your lungs are clear and free of infection, pulmonary function tests to assess your lung capacity and an EKG (electrocardiogram) to monitor your heart rhythm. You may also be required to have a CAT (computerized tomography) scan and/or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to give your doctors a clear view of your internal organs and blood vessels.

• 3

  Refrain from eating or drinking after midnight the night before your appointment. You will be undergoing numerous tests, some of which require that you be fasting.

• 4

  Bring a friend or family member with you. You will be receiving a massive amount of information during the pre-transplant testing. Having someone with you will help you to remember everything that you are learning.

• 5

  Bring all medications that you are currently taking, your medical records and health insurance information to your pre-transplant testing appointment. You are going to be meeting with an entire team of professionals, including financial counselors, a social worker, surgeons, liver specialists and a transplant coordinator.