🩺 Extended Criteria for Liver Transplantation (ECLT)
Explained by Dr. Chetan Kalal | Liver Transplant Physician, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai
First DM Hepatologist of Maharashtra | Virtual Consults Available Globally
📘 What is “Extended Criteria” Liver Transplantation?
Extended Criteria Liver Transplant (ECLT) refers to offering liver transplant to patients or using donors who fall outside standard guidelines — but still have favorable outcomes when managed by experienced transplant teams.
This approach saves lives when standard donor or recipient criteria are too restrictive.
🔍 Extended Criteria Can Apply to:
1️⃣ Extended Criteria Recipients (ECRs)
Patients who were once considered "high-risk" may now qualify due to medical advances.
✅ Examples:
Age >65 years
Hepatitis C or B with complications
Recovered alcoholic liver disease
HIV-positive with undetectable viral load
Frail or sarcopenic patients
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF Grade 2/3)
Liver cancer (HCC) beyond Milan but within UCSF/Up-to-7 criteria
Prior abdominal surgeries
💡 With careful selection and ICU care, survival can still exceed 80% in top centers.
2️⃣ Extended Criteria Donors (ECDs)
Donor livers that were once rejected may now be safely used with rigorous screening and technology.
✅ Examples:
Older donors (>60 years)
Mild fatty liver (steatosis <30%)
Donors with controlled infections (e.g., Hepatitis B core antibody positive)
DCD (donation after circulatory death) donors in advanced centers
ABO-incompatible donors (with desensitization)
🛡️ With expert matching and perioperative care, outcomes remain strong.
💬 Dr. Chetan Kalal's Expert View:
“Every liver counts. With today’s advancements, even patients once considered ineligible may have a second chance. Extended criteria does not mean lower safety — it means smarter selection. Always consult early.”
🧭 Why It Matters:
Reduces waitlist mortality
Increases donor pool
Offers second chance to difficult-to-match patients
Ensures timely transplant before complications worsen
📍 Consult Dr. Chetan Kalal for Advanced Transplant Evaluation:
👨⚕️ First DM Hepatologist of Maharashtra
🏥 Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai
🌍 Virtual Consults Available: UAE | UK | USA | Africa | Singapore | Canada
🌐 www.drchetankalal.com
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