Review
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World J Transplant. Jun 24, 2014; 4(2): 81-92
Published online Jun 24, 2014. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v4.i2.81
Pre-and-post transplant considerations in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Vikas Khullar, Angela Dolganiuc, Roberto J Firpi
Vikas Khullar, Angela Dolganiuc, Roberto J Firpi, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
Roberto J Firpi, Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States
Author contributions: Khullar V, Dolganiuc A and Firpi RJ solely contributed to this work.
Correspondence to: Roberto J Firpi, MD, MS, AGAF, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1600 S.W. Archer Road, MSB-440, Gainesville, FL 32608, United States. roberto.firpi@medicine.ufl.edu
Telephone: +1-352-2739466  Fax: +1-352-3927393
Received: November 27, 2013
Revised: February 17, 2014
Accepted: March 11, 2014
Published online: June 24, 2014
Processing time: 234 Days and 22.7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and one of the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) nowadays. Although, it remains the third most common indication for LT in the United States, it is projected to become the most common indication by 2025. It presents a unique challenge for the transplant community in terms of management and long-term outcomes. Many risk factors for NAFLD pre-transplant such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes continue to play an important role in the pathogenesis of post-transplant NAFLD. In addition to therapy focused on prevention and management of coexisting medical conditions, physicians must weight the benefits and harms of both medical and surgical options in patients undergoing LT.