Liver transplantation in older adults

Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment therapy for end-stage liver disease. In the United States, approximately 15% of annual liver transplant recipients are 65 or older. The most common postoperative complications are infection, acute graft rejection, and acute renal failure. To prevent complications, recipients are treated with immunosuppressive medications and anti-infective agents. The long-term complications of liver transplantation are a consequence of long-term use of immunosuppressive medications and recurrence of the original disease in the liver. Nurses play a critical role in supporting and educating recipients and their primary support persons about post-transplant follow-up care, including laboratory test schedules, medication management, and infection prevention. Strict compliance with follow-up care provides the greatest possibility of avoiding complications or organ rejection.