Live Donor Vs Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation Results in Identical Outcome in Recipients With Acute Liver Failure – An Important Choice for Critical Ill Patients

N. Goldaracena, G. Sapisochin, J. Echeverri, M. Kaths, N. Selzner, M. Cattral, P. Greig, L. Lilly, I. McGilvray, G. Levy, A. Ghanekar, E. Renner, D. Grant, M. Selzner.

Multi Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: B150

Keywords: Liver failure

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session B: Liver: Living Donors

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015

Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Location: Exhibit Hall E

Introduction: Live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a valid alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in patients suffering from acute liver failure (ALF). Rapid disease progression and high mortality of ALF patients on the LT waiting lists makes LDLT an ideal option for this patient population. Live donor work-up can be performed in a short period of time allowing faster access to transplantation.

Methods: We report the outcome of LDLT for patients suffering from ALF. From 2006-2013, all patients with ALF receiving a LDLT (n=7) at our institution were compared to all ALF patients receiving a DDLT (n=26).

Results: Both groups were comparable regarding pre-transplant ICU stay (DDLT: 1 (0-7) vs. LDLT: 1 days (0-10); p=0.38), mechanical ventilation (DDLT: 69% vs. LDLT: 57%; p=0.66), inotropic drug requirement (DDLT: 27% vs. LDLT: 43%; p=0.64) and dialysis (DDLT: 2 vs. LDLT: 0 patients; p=1). Median evaluation time for live donors was 24hr (18-72hr). LDLT vs. DDLT had similar incidence of postoperative complications (31% vs. 43%; p=0.66). No difference was detected between LDLT and DDLT patients regarding 1- (DDLT: 92% vs. LDLT: 86%), 3- (DDLT: 92% vs. LDLT: 86%), and 5- (DDLT: 92% vs. LDLT: 86%) year graft and patient survival (p= 0.63). No severe donor complication (Dindo-Clavien >3b) occurred after live liver donation.

Conclusion: ALF is a severe disease with high mortality on LT waiting lists. Therefore, LDLT is an attractive option since live donor work-up can be expedited and LT can be performed within 24hr with excellent short and long-term outcomes.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Goldaracena N, Sapisochin G, Echeverri J, Kaths M, Selzner N, Cattral M, Greig P, Lilly L, McGilvray I, Levy G, Ghanekar A, Renner E, Grant D, Selzner M. Live Donor Vs Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation Results in Identical Outcome in Recipients With Acute Liver Failure – An Important Choice for Critical Ill Patients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/live-donor-vs-deceased-donor-liver-transplantation-results-in-identical-outcome-in-recipients-with-acute-liver-failure-an-important-choice-for-critical-ill-patients/. Accessed July 5, 2025.

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