Liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus—associated cirrhosis: A progress report

✍ Scribed by David H. Van Thiel; Harlan I. Wright; Stefano Fagiuoli

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 440 KB
• Volume: 20
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0270-9139
• DOI: 10.1002/hep.1840200707

✦ Synopsis

Because of its importance as an indication for liver transplantation, the epidemiology of chronic hepatitis B disease is presented. Current knowledge relative to the pathobiological mechanisms of hepatitis B virusrelated liver disease are presented, followed by a discussion of the treatment modalities currently available for use in hepatitis B virus-related liver disease. This is followed by an examination of their use in both potential transplant recipients and those who have been given liver transplants for hepatitis B virus disease. Finally, a summary of the current status of hepatitis B virus disease and liver transplantation is presented. (HEPATOLOGY 1994;20:205-23s.)

HBV-associated liver disease is a worldwide problem of immense magnitude. It is estimated that more than 300 million individuals worldwide have some form of chronic HBV-related liver disease. Of these, it is estimated that two thirds live in China (1).

It is estimated that 75,000 new cases of HBV hepatitis occur annually in the United States. One fourth of these cases, or 18,750, became chronic. In one fifth of these chronic cases, or 3,710, cirrhosis develops. Four hundred cases progress to HCC.