ABO-Incompatible (ABO-I) Liver Transplantation: What You Need to Know
ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) liver transplantation is a procedure that involves transplanting a liver from a donor with a different blood type than the recipient. This procedure is becoming more common as the number of patients in need of a liver transplant continues to grow. In this article, we'll discuss what you need to know about ABO-I liver transplantation.
What is ABO-Incompatible Liver Transplantation?
In a traditional liver transplantation, the donor and recipient must have the same blood type (or compatible blood types) in order to reduce the risk of rejection. In an ABO-I liver transplantation, the donor and recipient have different blood types. This means that the recipient's immune system may recognize the transplanted liver as foreign and attack it.
To reduce the risk of rejection in ABO-I liver transplantation, doctors use a combination of medications and procedures to "desensitize" the recipient's immune system. This process involves removing antibodies from the recipient's blood and using medications to suppress the immune system.
Who is a Candidate for ABO-I Liver Transplantation?
ABO-I liver transplantation is typically reserved for patients who have a rare blood type or who have been on the waiting list for a long time without finding a compatible donor. In some cases, ABO-I liver transplantation may also be an option for patients who have a living donor who is not a match.
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