Liver Transplant in the current Lockdown caused by COVID-19 Pandemic

All patients who are suffering from liver disease and need a transplant are currently in dilemma on when and how the transplant would proceed. Even doctors are in dilemma on whether they should divert the healthcare staff and infrastructure to transplant when we have a great pandemic going on. To answer these queries, the American, European, Asian and Indian societies have drawn out guidelines for doctors to help in decision making.
Should we as healthcare providers decide on who is more in need of limited resources, i.e., COVID-19 patients versus patients in urgent need of liver transplantation? It is impossible to weigh the value of the life of a patient with COVID-19 against that of a patient in need of life-saving liver transplantation. We should not compound the pandemic by risking the lives of patients in need of liver transplantation and our goal should be to ensure that an ICU bed is available for every patient who requires one.
All centers offering transplant would not be denying the transplant if the patient has #Acute Liver Failure #ALF. These patients are unlikely to survive weeks without a new liver and the #Lockdown should not hinder someone getting a new liver which is a life-saving procedure. Acute on chronic Liver Failure of #ACLF who are unlikely to survive more than a month based on the severity of liver disease estimated by the treating #Hepatologist should also proceed with liver transplant. However, all those who have stable liver disease and can safely delay transplant should be able to delay transplant. Long distance travel for the recipient to get a cadaver is also not encouraged.
All centers are advised to get the test to exclude SARS-CoV2 virus in donor and recipient before the transplant. A person with the test positive would not be accepted as a donor.
If you are advised a transplant please consult your Hepatologist on the urgency and feasibility of liver transplant.


More Informaton: Drpathikparikh.com


Contact to:- Zydus Hospitals: +91 79 66 19 0218 Bapunagar: +91 75730 23123

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