title: Liver Transplantation in Brazil.
abstract: Over 1700 liver transplantations (LTs) are performed annually in Brazil. In absolute terms, the country performs more LT surgeries than anywhere else in Latin America and is third worldwide. However, due to its increasing population and inadequate donor organ supply, the country averages 5-10 LTs per million population, far lower than required. There is a marked heterogeneity in organ donation and LT activity throughout the country. Access to LT in the underprivileged North, Midwest, and Northeast regions of Brazil is scarce. Major challenges for the future of LT in Brazil will be to increase organ donation and access to LT. The reduction of those geographical disparities in donation, organ procurement, and LT due to political and financial constraints is of utmost importance. Liver Transplantation 22 1254-1258 2016 AASLD.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Portuguese Hospital of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Lisboa
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bittencourt
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto Queiroz
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.affiliation: Alpha Gastroenterology Institute, University Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia Alves
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Couto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D014850:Waiting Lists