Abstract
Background: Liver transplant recipients are prone to both short-term and long-term
complications and may present to any emergency department. Objective: This narrative
review summarized key aspects of liver transplantation and reviewed the major complications
that may result in emergency department presentation. Discussion: Liver transplantation
is the only curative therapy for end-stage liver disease and the liver is the second
most commonly transplanted solid organ. With nearly 100,000 living liver transplant
recipients in the United States, these patients no longer present exclusively to transplantation
centers. Critical complications may manifest with a variety of subtle signs and symptoms
that must be considered by the emergency physician. Appropriate evaluation often includes
laboratory analysis and imaging. Treatment may be time-sensitive and is variable depending
on the specific complication. Conclusions: Emergency physicians in all settings must
be prepared to evaluate and treat liver transplant recipients who present with potential
graft- and life-threatening complications.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 06, 2023
Accepted:
February 17,
2023
Received in revised form:
January 3,
2023
Received:
November 7,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Uncorrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
