Extended criteria donor for liver, which of the following is true?
**Core Concept**
Extended criteria donors (ECDs) for liver transplantation refer to donors who do not meet the standard criteria for liver donation, but still have a potential for successful graft function. This includes donors with underlying medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, or obesity.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the donor's age, as older donors are considered ECDs. The liver's regenerative capacity is remarkable, and even older livers can function well after transplantation. However, older donors have a higher risk of having underlying medical conditions, such as vascular disease or malignancy, which can affect graft function. The use of ECDs has expanded the donor pool, but it also increases the risk of post-transplant complications.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is not relevant to the discussion of ECDs for liver transplantation.
* **Option B:** This option is not accurate, as ECDs are not defined by the donor's smoking history.
* **Option C:** This option is not correct, as ECDs are not limited to donors with a history of cancer.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When considering ECDs for liver transplantation, it's essential to evaluate the donor's overall health, including their medical history, laboratory results, and imaging studies. This comprehensive evaluation helps assess the risk-benefit ratio of using an ECD graft.
**Correct Answer: C. Donors older than 65 years.**