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Among the approximately 6000 liver transplantations performed annually in the U.S. and Europe, the 5-year survival rate is >70%. This success is due to multiple factors, including improved pretransplantation liver care, refined surgical techniques, and more-effective immunosuppression regimens. One price of success, however, has been a growing organ shortage. In a new review, authors discuss new developments and upcoming challenges in liver transplantation.
Indications for liver transplantation have changed during the last few decades. The frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma as the primary indication for transplantation in the U.S. has increased from 8% in 2002 to 22% in 2012, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)–re…