Improving the outcome of liver transplantation with very old donors with updated selection and management criteria

Advanced donor age is a risk factor for poor outcome in liver transplantation (LT). We reviewed 553 consecutive transplants according to donor age categories [group 1 (n = 173): <50 years; group 2 (n = 96): 50–59 years; group 3 (n = 132): 60–69 years; group 4 (n = 111): 70–79 years; group 5 (n = 41): ≥80 years]. Clinical parameters were comparable between groups. Group 5 had the highest proportion of pretransplant liver biopsy (85%), with only 1 graft showing macrovesicular steatosis > 30%, and the lowest ischemia time. Five‐year graft survival was significantly higher in group 1 (75%) versus groups 3 (60%) and 4 (62%; P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively) and in group 5 (81%) versus groups 3 and 4 ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively). Donor age of 60–79 years, recipient hepatitis C virus–positive status, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score ≥ 25, and emergency LT were predictors of poor survival. In hepatitis C virus–positive patients, 5‐year graft survival was 72% in group 1, 85% in group 2, 52% in group 3, 65% in group 4, and 71% in group 5 (group 1 versus group 3, P = 0.04; group 2 versus group 3, P = 0.03). In conclusion, older donor grafts managed with routine graft biopsy and short ischemia time may work effectively, regardless of the severity of the recipient's liver disease. Liver Transpl, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.