Liver Transplant Clinic
The multidisciplinary Liver Transplant Clinics, directed by Dr Robert Fontana, are held every Monday and Friday morning, as well as every Tuesday afternoon, in the Taubman Center at University Hospital. The Clinic faculty provide medical evaluation and consultation for adults with acute or chronic liver failure to help determine the etiology, stage, and optimal treatment plan. Newly referred patients should have all medical records, x-rays, and pathology reports sent to the transplant coordinator prior to the appointment. During the visit, new patients are seen by a multidisciplinary team including a hepatologist, transplant surgeon, transplant social worker, and nurse coordinator. Patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis with the following features are suitable referrals for this clinic:
- Bleeding from varices or the gastrointestinal tract
- Ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen)
- Hepatic encephalopathy (mental confusion)
- Early stage primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
- Liver failure (such as a CTP score greater than or equal to 7 or a MELD score greater than or equal to 10) from any cause
- Glycogen storage disease and other metabolic liver diseases
- Polycystic liver disease
In addition to new patient referrals, patients on the liver transplant waiting list and liver transplant recipients are also seen in the subspecialty clinics for ongoing care. Participation in research protocols involving newer immunosuppressant regimens, antiviral drugs, and renal outcomes in liver transplant candidates and recipients is available.
Location and contact numbers:
A. Alfred Taubman Health Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC 5391
Floor 2, Reception F (Monday or Friday a.m.)
Floor 3, Reception D (Tuesday p.m.)
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Local phone: 734-936-7491
Toll Free: 800-395-6431
For more details see the Adult Liver Transplant section of University of Michigan Transplant Center web site.
