Asimov Press A Liver on Ice
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Oct 12, 2025 In this engaging discussion, journalist Donna Vatnick delves into the fascinating world of liver transplantation. She shares her firsthand experience joining Dr. Johanna Lee's team during an overnight flight to retrieve a liver, touching on the legal and ethical complexities of organ donation. Vatnick explores the historical evolution of transplants and the innovative breakthroughs in immunosuppression that have improved patient survival. The conversation also tackles the controversial six-month sobriety rule for alcohol-related liver disease and the potential for new treatments to reduce transplant needs.
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Midnight Airlift For A Liver
- Donna Vatnick rode with Dr. Johanna Lee and coordinator Trudy by ambulance and private plane to procure a donor liver late at night.
- The team moved fast across hospitals to deliver the organ before the recipient's surgery began.
Donor With No Next Of Kin
- The donor John was declared brain dead after a stroke and had no one to claim his body, so the coroner authorized donation.
- His organs entered the OPTN database and matched regionally, initiating the procurement process.
Human Judgment Trumps Scans For Organ Quality
- Surgeons evaluate a liver visually and by touch because scans can't reveal all functional or fatty changes.
- If the liver is too fatty, large, or diseased, the transplant is aborted to protect the recipient.
