Expanded Criteria Donor (ECD)

A deceased donor over the age of 60 with mild liver abnormalities. The term "expanded" is used because an expansion of the donor pool is considered to increase transplantation. With an ECD liver, the waiting time may be shorter.

Increasing the donor pool

Due to the shortage of donor organs to meet the growing demand, transplantation from an expanded criteria donor (ECD) may also be an option for some transplant candidates. ECD livers are not considered ideal or standard, but can significantly shorten the waiting time to transplantation.

Expanded donor guidelines

Organ procurement organizations consider the following to be expanded criteria donors for potential transplant if the recipient has given informed consent to receive such organs:

• Donors age 70 to 80
• Donors older than age 60 with a significant medical history
• Donors with a history of high-risk social behaviors
• Donors with a history of Hepatitis B or C exposure

Depending on a variety of factors, such as the disease that caused your liver to fail, your age, and your overall health condition, our transplant team may recommend ECD as a suitable option for you.