Nutrition support of the adult liver transplant candidate

Liver transplantation now provides a viable alternative to patients with end-stage hepatic failure. Because of the damaging effects of liver failure on other organ systems, transplant candidates frequently suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition. Chronic hepatic failure can result in deranged metabolism of not only macronutrients and micronutrients but also various hormones. Patients are frequently in a catabolic state. Wasting of the skeletal muscle mass occurs and synthesis of secretory proteins and clotting factors decreases. Hepatic encephalopathy and fluid/electrolyte imbalances often complicate the provision of appropriate nutrition support. Nutrition support may be provided by the oral route, tube feeding, parenteral nutrition, or a combination of those routes. A multidisciplinary approach to determine the appropriate nutrition support regimen is most optimal. To assess the efficacy of the support, monitoring of the nutritional/metabolic status is necessary on an ongoing basis. An aggressive nutrition support regimen can induce positive nitrogen balance, promote hepatic protein synthesis, and expand lean body mass, controlling the symptoms of malnutrition in end-stage liver disease.