Decompensated Cirrhosis and Treatment With Liver Transplant

Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions. Each time your liver is injured it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. As cirrhosis progresses, more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver to function (decompensated cirrhosis). Advanced cirrhosis is life-threatening. The liver damage done by cirrhosis generally can't be undone.

Julie Heimbach, M.D., transplant surgeon and Michael Leise, M.D., transplant hepatologist, discuss decompensated cirrhosis and the treatment options available to patients when they come to Mayo Clinic.