Long-Term Care of the Liver Transplant Recipient

Reflecting continued enhancements of surgical techniques and immunosuppression, liver transplant recipients are experiencing increased longevity. Once patients have successfully navigated the perioperative and early posttransplant period, their survival depends on management of immunosuppression to minimize systemic side effects that will contribute to the development of medical comorbidities while avoiding rejection. This includes mitigating cardiovascular risk factors and other components of the metabolic syndrome. The concept of transplant survivorship emphasizes a holistic approach to improving a patient's quality of life. Highlighting not only the medical management, transplant survivorship also stresses the psychological, mental, and spiritual well-being to further improve long-term outcomes.