OPTN/SRTR 2013 Annual Data Report: liver

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• In 2013, liver transplant waiting lists saw an increase in adult and pediatric candidates.
• Organ donation and transplantation statistics for the year were documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in liver transplant waiting lists and outcomes in 2013.
• To evaluate the impact of the Share 35 allocation policy on waiting times.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of liver transplant waiting list data from 2012 and 2013.
• Examination of the Share 35 policy's effect on median waiting times for candidates with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores of 35 or higher.

Main Results:

• The Share 35 policy dramatically decreased median waiting time for eligible candidates from 14.0 months to 1.4 months.
• Transplant rates varied by age, with the youngest recipients showing the highest rates.
• Five-year graft survival rates were reported across different pediatric age groups.

Conclusions:

• The Share 35 policy has a substantial impact on reducing wait times for critically ill liver patients.
• The long-term effects of this policy on waitlist mortality require further investigation.
• Pediatric liver transplant recipients demonstrate varying graft survival rates based on age at transplantation.