Table 4.

Contraindications for liver transplant in acute liver failure

Cardiopulmonary disease that cannot be corrected and is a prohibitive risk for surgery.

Malignancy outside of the liver within 5 years of evaluation (not including superficial skin cancers) or not meeting oncologic criteria for cure.

Active alcohol and drug use. Most programs require a minimum period of abstinence of at least 6 months with participation in a structured rehabilitation and abstinence program and adequate social support to help maintain sobriety.

Advanced age and AIDS are examples of relative contraindications that are site-specific and are often decided on a case-by-case basis.

Liver transplantation can be performed in those older than 65 provided that there has been a comprehensive search made for comorbidities.

Abbreviation: AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.