Transplant Hepatology in Iowa, Iowa City

The transplant hepatologist has specialized training in the management of patients with end-stage liver disease, pre- and postoperative care of transplant patients, and in the use of immunosuppressive therapy, including the sides effects of the drugs and the complications of immunosuppression.

When is performed a Liver Transplantation

• Carcinoma of the biliary tract;
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer);
• Hepatitis A;
• Acute and chronic hepatitis B, C;
• Hepatitis D;
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic hepatitis;
• Toxic, and autoimmune hepatitis;
• Cirrhosis of the liver;
• Fatty hepatosis of the liver;
• Hemochromatosis;
• Obstruction of the hepatic vein;
• Wilson disease;
• Other diseases of liver and biliary tract.

Liver Transplantation is not recommended in cases:

• Acute Infections - such as tuberculosis or osteomyelitis;
• Difficulty taking medications several times a day throughout his life;
• Diseases of the heart, lungs, liver, or other life-threatening diseases;
• Cancer of any organ;
• Smoking, alcohol or drug abuse;
• Malformations that significantly reduce life expectancy;
• Transferred in the past surgery on internal organs and the liver.

What examinations are necessary to perform a Liver Transplant?

• Blood tests including onkomarkery;
• Tests for hepatitis B hepatitis B, C;
• Immunogenetic and serological examination of the liver;
• Abdominal ultrasound, Doppler blood vessels of the liver;
• MRI of the liver;
• Fibroscan - a non-invasive technique of morphological assessment of the state of the liver;
• Biopsy of renal tissue;
• Consultation hepatologist.

Prevention After a Liver Transplant

• Will be are corrected of complications (encephalopathy, a disorder of renal functions, etc.);
• The patient receives the prescribing of drugs that suppress organ rejection. The dosage is chosen taking into account the characteristics of the organism;
• Periodically, need to pass urine, blood, for the presence of viruses, as well as the level of immunosuppressive agents, ultrasound of the liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas;
• Important to follow the diet. Food should not complicate the work of the liver. Decrease in the diet of fried, fatty, smoked. Fractional feed 4-5 times per day. The main share of the food should be fruits and vegetables;
• It is important to rest and get enough sleep, limit physical exertion, are contraindicated many sports;
• Due to the fact that the patient's immune system is suppressed by means of special preparations, it is very susceptible to infections. Therefore, it is better not to be in crowded places and avoid patients with SARS, influenza and other similar diseases.