Causes of liver failure include viral hepatitis, drug-induced injury, Wilson’s disease, alcohol addiction, early-stage liver cancer, hemochromatosis, primary biliary cholangitis, infections, and others. Liver failure can be sudden (acute liver failure) or develop gradually over months or years (chronic liver failure). Children with jaundice and digestive issues are more likely to experience liver failure.

Common signs of liver damage include nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. However, severe liver failure may manifest additional symptoms such as jaundice, easy bleeding, abdominal swelling, mental confusion or hepatic encephalopathy, drowsiness, and even coma.

Nevertheless, there is a possibility that a patient undergoing a liver transplant evaluation may not be approved for the transplant procedure. In most cases, this happens when the person has a condition or disease that reduces their chances of a successful transplant. Some examples of such disorders include acute hunger, infection, chronic pulmonary obstruction disease, heart failure, HIV/AIDS, mental illnesses, alcohol or drug abuse, and more. Make sure you are qualified for liver transplantation before proceeding and consult your surgeon for confirmation.

Depending on the patient’s health, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, liver availability, fitness, certificate of non-commitment requirements, and other factors, the pre-transplant process may continue for several weeks.