Liver Transplant Management Program
At Carilion Clinic, we can not only diagnose and monitor your liver disease, but also determine if you need a transplant.
Pre-Transplant Care
If you are a candidate for liver transplant, we can complete the initial evaluation locally and facilitate an appointment with the transplant center of your choice.
We will work closely with you to make sure you receive a complete evaluation while also reducing duplicate tests and excessive trips to the transplant center. We can also refer you to other specialists, if needed, such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, interventional radiologists, general surgeons and oncologists.
If you are identified as a potential liver transplant candidate, we will evaluate you to ensure that you can safely undergo the surgery and have a positive outcome. You will also have access to the special medications and care required after a transplant.
The initial evaluation includes a heart evaluation (EKG, stress test, echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization) and lung evaluation (pulmonary function test and arterial blood gases). You also need recent imaging of your liver, current screenings for cancer including colonoscopy, endoscopy and a dental evaluation.
At Carilion, we are able to arrange for all testing to be done locally, and the reports are sent to the transplant centers prior to your first appointment.
We work with the following medical centers for liver transplants:
Post-Transplant Care
Once you return home after your transplant, you will have regular visits with Marrieth Rubio, M.D., who will coordinate your care with the transplant team to prevent you from having to make expensive trips to the transplant center. We will also monitor your labs to ensure that your new liver is working properly and your immunosuppressant level is in the proper range.
If complications arise after your transplant, we can diagnose and treat you locally in many cases with ultrasounds, MRIs, liver biopsies and endoscopic exams, if needed. In some cases, you may have to return to the transplant center for further evaluation and management of complications.
Resources
At Carilion Clinic, our liver disease experts are always happy to answer questions and help manage your concerns, but there are several patient resources online that may also help with questions.
For more information about liver disease, visit these helpful resources:
