The use of ABO-compatible mismatched livers in the UK

Elective blood group O liver recipients appear to wait longer than most other groups for matched donors. The aim of this study was to confirm the suspected differences in elective waiting times in the UK using data from the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service, and to determine some of the factors responsible for them. The findings were that potential group O recipients waited significantly longer than other groups for transplantation, and that 22% of group O livers were going to non-O recipients. AB, the group with the shortest waiting time, was receiving 74.5% mismatched (but compatible) grafts, from all other groups.