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Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2014; 20(18): 5363-5374
Published online May 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5363
Table 1 Most frequently prescribed immunosuppressive drugs and potential associated adverse events
Drug classMedicationsAdverse events
CorticosteroidsMethyl prednisoneBone disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, gastrointestinal disease
Prednisolone
Calcineurin inhibitorsTacrolimusKidney disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes (tacrolimus)
Cyclosporine
mTOR inhibitorsSirolimusHypercholesterolemia, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, kidney disease
Everolimus
Anti-metabolitesMycophenolateBone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal disease
Azathioprine
IL-2 receptor antibodiesBasiliximab
Daclizumab
Polyclonal antibodiesAntithymocyte globulin
Table 2 Current main indications for liver transplantation
CategoryDisease
Acute liver failureAcute hepatitis A
Acute hepatitis B
Drug/toxin hepatotoxicity
Cirrhosis from chronic liver diseasesChronic hepatitis C virus
Chronic hepatitis B virus
Alcoholic liver disease
Autoimmune hepatitis
Cryptogenic liver disease
Primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis
Secondary biliary cirrhosis
Metabolic disordersAlpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Hereditary haemochromatosis
Wilson’s disease
Glycogen-storage disorders
Type 1 hyperoxaluria
Familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia
MalignanciesPrimary hepatic cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma
Metastatic: carcinoid tumours and islet cell tumours
MiscellaneousPolycystic liver disease
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Table 3 Current absolute and relative contraindications in liver transplantation
Absolute contraindications
Active extrahepatic malignancy
Hepatic malignancy with macrovascular or diffuse tumour invasion
Uncontrolled infection, except infection of the hepatobiliary system
Active substance or alcohol abuse
Severe comorbid conditions
Noncompliance or insufficient motivation
Technical impediment
Brain death
Relative contraindications
Advanced age
HIV infection
Cholangiocarcinoma
Portal vein thrombosis
Psychosocial problems