Retransplantation for hepatitis C: Implications of different policies

1. Approximately 20% of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive liver transplant recipients develop evidence of allograft cirrhosis by year 5. 2. The prevalence of HCV infection in patients undergoing retransplantation has significantly increased since 1990. 3. Retransplantation for recurrent HCV is associated with poor long-term survival. 4. Preoperative hyperbilirubinemia (billirubin greater than or equal to5 mg/ dL) and renal failure predict poor outcome after retransplantation. 5. Retransplantation is the only viable option for patients in whom allografts fail because of recurrent HCV disease.