RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Liver Transplantation in Saudi Arabia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 927
OP 968
DO 10.15537/smj.2021.42.9.20210126
VO 42
IS 9
A1 Faisal A. Abaalkhail
A1 Mohammed I. Al Sebayel
A1 Mohammed A. Shagrani
A1 Wael A. O’Hali
A1 Nasser M. Almasri
A1 Abduljaleel A. Alalwan
A1 Mohammed Y. Alghamdi
A1 Hamad Al-Bahili
A1 Mohammed S. AlQahtani
A1 Saleh I. Alabbad
A1 Waleed K. Al-Hamoudi
A1 Saleh A. Alqahtani
YR 2021
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/42/9/927.abstract
AB The demand for liver transplantation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is associated with the country’s high burden of liver disease. Trends in the epidemiology of liver transplantation indications among recipients in KSA have changed over 20 years. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has eclipsed the hepatitis C virus in the country due to the effective treatment strategies for HCV. Risk factors for NASH, like type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, are becoming a major concern and a leading indication for liver transplantation in the KSA. There is also a significantly increased prevalence and incidence of genetic adult familial liver diseases in KSA. New immunosuppressive agents and preservation solutions, improved surgical capabilities, and early disease recognition and management have increased the success rate of liver transplant outcome but concerns about the side effects of immunosuppressive therapy can jeopardise long-term survival outcomes. Despite this, indications for liver transplantation continue to increase, resulting in ongoing challenges to maximize the number of potential donors and reduce patient mortality rate while expecting to get transplanted. The Saudi Center of Organ Transplant is the recognized National Organ Donation Agency for transplantation, which renders important support for procurement and allocation of organs. This guidance document aims to help healthcare providers in managing patients in the liver transplant setting.