Liver transplantation across ABO blood groups

Six hundred seventy-one first, second, and third orthotopic liver allografts in 520 patients were reviewed to determine the effect of donor-recipient mismatches or incompatibilities for the ABO blood groups on graft survival. A significant advantage for ABO donor-recipient identity was found, especially in adults and for first grafts. However, a surprisingly large number of ABO incompatible grafts were successful. We recommend that nonidentical or incompatible grafts be limited to patients such as small children for whom the supply of available donors is severely limited or for patients in urgent need of transplantation or retransplantation.