Liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C – the importance of antiviral therapy in 2024

Summary: Liver failure due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C (HCV) infection is still one of the main indications for liver transplantation (LTx) in Western countries. In patients with compensated liver cirrhosis C, antiviral therapy should be initiated promptly, as complications, i.e. decompensation of the disease and HCC, can occur in a short time frame. Successful antiviral treatment of HCV in patients with cirrhosis reduces the risk of decompensation, HCC, and death from liver failure, thus reducing the need for LTx in these patients. Treatment in a patient with decompensated liver cirrhosis before LTx aims not only to prevent HCV recurrence in the liver graft but also to improve liver function. In patients on the waiting list, improvement of liver function may lead to removal from the waiting list. LTx should be considered in all patients with chronic liver failure due to HCV in whom we expect prolongation of life expectancy after LTx compared to the natural course of their liver disease or for whom LTx will significantly improve the quality of life. LTx should be considered when life expectancy due to liver disease is one year or less. Before LTx, the patient should be thoroughly examined to exclude comorbidities that substantially complicate or preclude LTx. The advent of direct-acting antivirals into HCV treatment regimens represents a revolutionary step to prevent HCV recurrence in the graft, is either by eradicating HCV before LTx or by early treatment after LTx. Currently, HCV recurrence in the liver graft either by eradicating HCV before LTx or by early treatment after LTx. Currently, HCV recurrence in the liver graft no longer leads to worse survival in patients transplanted for HCV, and outcomes are fully comparable to those of LTx for other diagnoses. Key words: HCV – cirrhosis C – liver failure – hepatocellular carcinoma – liver transplantation – HCV recurrence