Your liver is critical to many of your body’s important functions. It helps with digestion, keeps your blood clean and rids your body of waste.
If you have a damaged liver, it can begin to fail. Certain treatments can help. But, when treatments stop working, you may need a liver transplant.
Emory Healthcare is home to Georgia’s first liver transplant program. Our expert team includes:
In 1987, doctors at Emory Healthcare performed Georgia’s first liver transplant. Our pioneering spirit has led to national recognition for the size of our program and the quality of our outcomes.
Here, you can expect:
In addition, we are the only liver transplant program in the Southeast offering Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS®). This liver support system helps some patients as they await transplant or until they recover from liver failure.
For more data and information on liver transplant survival rates, visit the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients website. This is a database of transplantation statistics.
Emory Healthcare is right here, right when you need us. Our caring transplant team can help you with your liver disease.
When the liver stops working correctly, it cannot store nutrients. It also cannot remove toxins from the blood. There are many causes of liver damage and liver disease, including:
For some, we can manage liver disease with medications. When medications aren’t enough, Emory Healthcare offers surgical and nonsurgical treatments, including:
When other treatments don’t work, doctors may recommend liver transplant surgery.
Liver transplant approval starts with a thorough evaluation. This enables us to rule out conditions that could prevent a successful transplant. Pre-liver transplant testing includes:
Emory researchers have made significant strides in the field of transplantation. In July 2009, Emory transplant surgeons were the first in the state of Georgia to perform a very rare domino liver transplant – a liver from a deceased donor is transplanted into the first recipient, and the first recipient's liver is then transplanted into a second recipient. Fewer than 100 domino liver transplants have been performed in the U.S.
If liver transplant is the best treatment option for you, we will place you on a waiting list until a donor liver becomes available.
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the national agency that regulates organ transplantation. They work with LifeLink of Georgia to put your name on a national computerized transplant waiting list. You can wait hours, months or even years for a donor organ. Many factors affect how quickly you match with a donor.
These include things like:
Some people who need a liver transplant benefit from a living liver donor. A living donor liver transplant can be an option before you are seriously ill. Living donation also shortens your wait time for a liver donor.
Emory Healthcare doctors provide specialized treatment and research the latest advancements.
View Emory Physician ProfilesTo expand your options, explore our network of providers throughout Atlanta and the surrounding counties.
Make an appointment online or call 404-778-7777 to schedule an appointment.
Our liver transplant team is here to help you and your patients. For referrals or patient discussions, call 855-366-7989. You can also fax a completed referral form and recent visit notes to 404-712-2769.
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