Original Article

Liver Transplantation: The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Experience

Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

^* Direct communications to: Wayne Calder, 9232 Oak Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the perfusion community with a literature review of liver transplantation and the four year liver transplant experience at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

METHODS:

1. define the various diagnoses associated with liver transplantation

2. describe past and present immunosuppressant therapy

3. describe the development and use of a heparinless veno-venous extracorporeal circulation system

4. describe the development and use of past and present rapid-infusion systems

5. correlate liver disease diagnosis with blood usage and survival

CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation is fast becoming a service operation:

1. operative mortality has decreased from 10% to less than 1%

2. operative blood loss and blood usage has been significantly reduced

3. gastrointestinal engorgement has essentially been eliminated