Liver transplantation and alcohol: who should get transplants?

Abstract

Medical selection criteria should be the same for all patients with end-stage liver disease and should aim for an acceptable outcome of the liver transplant procedure in matter of survival and quality of life, taking the scarce resources into account. The psychiatric selection criteria should aim at avoidance of recidivism of alcohol use in alcoholic patients. At least 6 mo of sobriety should be required. The patient must have a stable and supportive environment and should participate in an alcohol counseling program. A multicentered trial using uniform scoring criteria such as the Alcohol Prognosis Scale is needed to better define the selection of patients with alcoholic liver disease and long-term outcome of alcoholism after transplantation.