While many patients suffer from cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease, not all are suitable candidates for liver transplantation. For a successful transplant process, the patient must be capable of recovering from the surgery and potential post-operative complications, reliably taking immunosuppressive medications, regularly attending follow-up appointments, complying with laboratory tests, and strictly avoiding activities detrimental to liver health. Liver transplantation is not performed if any of the following conditions are present:
* Active alcohol or substance abuse
* Advanced lung and heart disease
* HIV infection
* Massive liver failure with severe cerebral edema
* Severe, uncontrolled psychiatric disorders
* Cancer spread outside the liver (extrahepatic malignancy)
* Severe pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than 50 mmHg)
* Systemic or uncontrolled infection
* Serious, irreversible medical conditions limiting short-term survival