A survey of transplant providers regarding attitudes, barriers, and facilitators to living donor liver transplantation in the United States
Recommended Citation
Liapakis A, Agbim U, Bittermann T, Dew MA, Deng Y, Gan G, Emre S, Hunt HF, Olthoff KM, Locke JE, Jesse MT, Kumar V, Pillai A, Verna E, and Lentine KL. A survey of transplant providers regarding attitudes, barriers, and facilitators to living donor liver transplantation in the United States. Clin Transplant 2023; e14967.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-20-2023
Publication Title
Clinical transplantation
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: A successful living donor liver transplant (LDLT) is the culmination of a multifaceted process coordinated among key stakeholders.
METHODS: We conducted an electronic survey of US liver transplant (LT) centers (August 26, 2021-October 10, 2021) regarding attitudes, barriers, and facilitators of LDLT to learn how to expand LDLT safely and effectively in preparation for the American Society of Transplantation Living Donor Liver Transplant Consensus Conference.
RESULTS: Responses were received from staff at 58 programs (40.1% of US LT centers). There is interest in broadening LDLT (100% of LDLT centers, 66.7% of non-LDLT centers) with high level of agreement that LDLT mitigates donor shortage (93.3% of respondents) and that it should be offered to all suitable candidates (87.5% of respondents), though LDLT was less often endorsed as the best first option (29.5% of respondents). Key barriers at non-LDLT centers were institutional factors and surgical expertise, whereas those at LDLT centers focused on waitlist candidate and donor factors. Heterogeneity in candidate selection for LDLT, candidate reluctance to pursue LDLT, high donor exclusion rate, and disparities in access were important barriers.
CONCLUSION: Findings from this study may help guide current and future expansion of LDLT more efficiently in the US. These efforts require clear and cohesive messaging regarding LDLT benefits, engagement of the public community, and dedicated resources to equitably increase LDLT access.
PubMed ID
36938716
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
First Page
14967
Last Page
14967