Increasing Transplant Access for Low MELD Patients in the United States: Do We Still Need to Increase Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation?

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate the necessity of increasing adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in light of improved deceased donor liver transplantation (DCD LT) outcomes.
• Analyzed graft survival rates between low MELD patients receiving deceased donor liver transplantation (DCD LT) and those undergoing LDLT.
• Compared deceased donor availability trends over recent years.
• Assessed the risks associated with living donor liver transplantation.
• Graft survival rates for low MELD patients receiving DCD LT matched those of LDLT.
• Increased deceased donor availability led to reduced reliance on LDLT.
• Expanding DCD LT could further minimize health risks for living donors.