Liver transplantation at the Ochsner Clinic: programmatic expansion and outcomes improvement.

Liver transplantation has become the best and most durable treatment for both acute and chronic liver disease. Over 1400 liver transplants have been performed at the Ochsner Clinic since the first successful transplant in 1987. Since its inception, the program has gone through several changes and advancements and has become one of the largest liver transplant programs in the United States. We have helped evolve steroid sparing immunosuppression and the use of extended criteria, donor organs. Establishment of criteria for the selection of recipients for re-transplantation has resulted in better than expected short and long-term results. Our center has faced the challenge of Hurricane Katrina and overcome it. We have improved steadily in both outcomes and transplants performed. The Ochnser Clinic Liver Transplant program will continue to improve access and outcomes for all patients with liver disease.