Emory's Liver Transplant Program is ranked second nationally and first in the state of Georgia in patient outcomes, based on data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). The SRTR releases its reports semiannually, comparing adult liver transplant centers across the nation by survival at one year with a functioning graft.

Emory's Liver Transplant Program performed 142 adult liver transplants in calendar year 2016, which makes Emory one of the busiest liver transplant programs in the country. More importantly, Emory's Liver Transplant patients enjoyed the second best one-year graft survival rates in the country with outcomes rated "significantly better than expected" for two consecutive reports. 

"We are incredibly proud of our transplant team and the world-class care that is given to our liver transplant patients every day," says Joseph Magliocca, MD, associate professor of surgery in the Division of Transplantation, and surgical director of liver transplantation at Emory. "Our multi-disciplinary liver transplant team is made up of liver transplant surgeons, transplant hepatologists and gastroenterologists, specialized anesthesiologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses and others -- all who are highly experienced in treating liver failure."

Emory physicians are uniquely poised to provide this highly specialized care as Emory University Hospital is the only place in the state of Georgia that provides an intensive care unit specifically dedicated to the treatment of liver failure and liver transplant patients.

"The Emory Transplant Center also offers extracorporeal liver support with the MARS or Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System," says Ram Subramanian, MD, associate professor of medicine, transplant hepatologist and medical director of liver transplantation at Emory Healthcare. "Patients with acute liver failure can be placed on the MARS as a bridge to transplant or for means of recovery following transplant. Emory is the only hospital in Georgia to provide this advanced liver support system, and is the leading center for MARS therapy in the U.S."

Emory Transplant Center also offers cutting-edge treatments to patients in need of a new liver, including liver transplantation in HIV-positive patients from non-HIV infected donors and in patients who have been diagnosed with cancer of the bile ducts. In the near future, thanks to the HOPE Act, the center plans to offer a clinical trial to evaluate the safety of HIV-positive to HIV-positive liver transplants.

"We are pleased our center can offer comprehensive care for complex liver failure patients in need of liver transplantation," says Magliocca.