Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease after Liver Transplant

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the world. The rising prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has led to a 170% increase in NASH cirrhosis as the listing indication for liver transplantation from 2004 to 2013. As of 2018, NASH has overtaken hepatitis C as an indication for liver transplantation in the USA. After liver transplantation, the allograft often develops recurrent NAFLD among patients with known NASH cirrhosis. In addition to recurrent disease, de novo NAFLD has been reported in patients with other indications for liver transplantation. In this review, we will discuss the risk factors associated with recurrent and de novo NAFLD, natural course of the disease, and management strategies after liver transplantation.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Liver Transplantation

The number of transplants caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been progressively increasing and this is expected to become the most common indication for liver transplant in the United States. Patients with NASH show many features of the metabolic syndrome and, as a result, are at higher risk for postoperative cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite this, patients with NASH have long-term graft and patient survival rates comparable with other causes of chronic liver disease. Posttransplant metabolic syndrome is a common occurrence that increases the risk of steatosis in the graft liver.