Practical management of liver transplant recipients for hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is one of the leading indications for liver transplantation. Recipients can expect at least a short-term survival equivalent to other indications for liver transplantation. However, the rates of cirrhosis and decompensation development is substantially faster than those rates seen in non-transplant setting. Advances in antiviral therapy are now associated with a sustained virological response of 20% with combination antiviral with interferon and ribavirin. Higher response rates are expected with utilizing pegylated interferon.