Liver transplantation in adults: Choosing the appropriate timing

Table 2 Contraindications to liver transplantation

Absolute

Extrahepatic malignancy

Hepatic malignancy with macrovascular or diffuse tumor invasion

Active and uncontrolled infection outside of the hepatobiliary system

Active substance or alcohol abuse

Severe pulmonary hypertension uncontrolled with medical therapy

Obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2)

Advanced cardiopulmonary disease

Psychosocial factors that would likely preclude recovery after

transplantation

Technical and/or anatomical barriers

Brain death

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Relative

Age

Cholangiocarcinoma

Portal vein thrombosis

Chronic or refractory infections

Human immunodeficiency virus infection

Previous malignancy

Active psychiatric illness

Poor social support

Age restriction varies by centers and its limit is not universally agreed. However, it is generally approved that transplantation should not be performed in patients older than 70 years, unless in highly selected cases. BMI: Body mass index.