Once doctors feel sure that someone is a good transplant candidate, the search for a new liver will begin. The liver received will almost certainly be cadaveric (from a deceased organ donor). Unlike other kinds of organ transplants, the liver recipient and the liver donor do not have to be a perfect "match". There are, however, certain qualifications.

The donor must be:

• Approximately the same weight and body size as the recipient
• Free from disease, infection, or injury that affects the liver
• Usually of the same or a compatible blood type (see table below)

BLOOD TYPE COMPATIBILITY CHART

Blood Type Can receive liver from: Generally can donate a liver to: O O O, A, B, AB A A, O A, AB B B, O B, AB AB O, A, B, AB AB