Question 1

what does someone's meld score have to be in order to qualify for a liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Above 15: Usually to be included on the list it has to be above 15. Depending on the area the score has to be a lot more than that to receive an organ.

Question 2

how does a meld score translate to priority for a patient's potential liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Reflects function: Higher meld scores relate to worse liver function, more severe disease, and thus higher priority for transplant.

Question 3

how long is the average wait for a liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Varies: It is difficult to give an "average" wait time, because the wait time is dependent on how sick the person is.  At this time, there are not enough livers for the number of people needing them. A score (meld score) is commonly used to determine who is most severely ill, and most in need of an urgent transplant.  One person's wait time may be much different than another's, based on how sick he/she is.

Question 4

how does the average person live after having a liver transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Half working 10 yrs: There are many factors that affect the longevity after a liver transplant including the recipient age and health of other organ systems such as the heart and blood vessels, diabetes, other cancers, etc. About half of the livers transplanted are working at 10 years.

Question 5

what is the average prognosis for a recipient of a live liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Wow, that depends...: ...on a lot of factors--age, co-morbidities, closeness of match between donor and recipient, rejection/graft-versus-host, underlying cause of liver failure, compliance with post-transplant protocols and follow-ups, indiscretion with intake of alcohol/tobacco/illicit drugs.  You get the idea--- it's not a question that warrants a blanket response!

Question 6

if someone has de compensating cirrhosis, what is the average lifespan if the person does not get a liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If ascites and edema, elevated bilirubin and especially upper gastrointestinal bleeding occur, the average lifespan is less than a year. However, alcoholic cirrhosis can be treated with steroids in some cases, and this may prolong life. There are other things to reduce bleeding, and decrease edema etc., treat other symptoms (itching) that may improve lifespan and quality of life some. Stop alcohol.

Question 7

what is a meld test for liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Prioritizes patients: Meld (model for end-stage liver disease) score allows for an estimation of life expectancy for people with end stage liver disease.There are more people needing transplants than there are donor livers; those determined by meld score to be highest risk of dying over the next 3 months are placed higher on the list.Meld is calculated from blood test results (bilirubin, creatinine, inr).

Question 8

can i get free liver transplant ?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: You live in a country with a socialized medical system, hence you might. The workings of your system might allow that, assuming you are a candidate. You really need to ask this of your primary md.

Question 9

how does  liver transplantation work?

Accepted Answer

Long answer!: And far too lengthy for this space.  Check out this website

http://digestive.Niddk.Nih.Gov/ddiseases/pubs/livertransplant_ez/#1

for all the details.

Question 10

can i travel after a liver transplant?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is important to always take an adequate supply of medications with you.  You should not travel to 3rd world countries or be exposed to poor sanitary conditions as your anti-rejections medications make you susceptable to infection.

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Doctor answers about:

Average meld score for liver transplant

A member asked:

What does someone's meld score have to be in order to qualify for a liver transplant?

A member asked:

How does a meld score translate to priority for a patient's potential liver transplant?

A member asked:

How long is the average wait for a liver transplant?

A member asked:

How does the average person live after having a liver transplantation?

A member asked:

What is the average prognosis for a recipient of a live liver transplant?

A member asked:

If someone has de compensating cirrhosis, what is the average lifespan if the person does not get a liver transplant?

A member asked:

What is a meld test for liver transplant?

A member asked:

Can i get free liver transplant ?

A member asked:

How does liver transplantation work?

A member asked:

Can i travel after a liver transplant?

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