Risk factors and waiting time on the liver transplant list: patients from the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Liver transplantation is an important treatment for acute liver failure and end-stage liver disease. In 2002, the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) was incorporated to prioritize patients awaiting liver transplantation. While there are data on how the MELD score affects wait time, there is a dearth of literature regarding other components. We aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the waiting time for TH. Using the database from the Republic of Moldova, patients aged 18- 65 listed for liver transplants in the period 2013-2022 were included. Variables tested in the model included patient characteristics, biochemical analyses, MELD score, and ABO blood group. The MELD score is used in prioritizing liver allocation and was expected to predict time on the waiting list. Mechanical ventilation and other markers of disease severity are associated with higher MELD scores, thus shorter waiting time. Further research is needed to address the reasons for ariation in waiting time in an attempt to reduce time to TH, standardize the listing process and improve patient outcomes.Objectives. The aim of the scientific paper was to analyze the risk factors and waiting time of patients with liver diseases on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Materials and methods. A retrospective 2013-2018 and prospective 2018-2022 study was conducted, in which 265 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, on the waiting list for liver transplantation, were included. The following databases were also used as a source of scientific literature: Google Scholar, PubMed and eLibrary. The keywords that were used in the search: „liver transplant”, „acute and chronic liver failure”. Results. Our results show that those with lower serum sodium had a shorter waiting time compared to candidates with higher sodium. Thus, patients with blood group A were the most patients, which is also a prognosis for this group to be more exposed to the risk of viral infection.