Crossroads in Liver Transplantation: Is Artificial Intelligence the Key to Donor-Recipient Matching?

Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Nov 28;58(12):1743. doi: 10.3390/medicina58121743.

Abstract

Liver transplantation outcomes have improved in recent years. However, with the emergence of expanded donor criteria, tools to better assist donor-recipient matching have become necessary. Most of the currently proposed scores based on conventional biostatistics are not good classifiers of a problem that is considered "unbalanced." In recent years, the implementation of artificial intelligence in medicine has experienced exponential growth. Deep learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, may be the answer to this classification problem. The ability to handle a large number of variables with speed, objectivity, and multi-objective analysis is one of its advantages. Artificial neural networks and random forests have been the most widely used deep classifiers in this field. This review aims to give a brief overview of D-R matching and its evolution in recent years and how artificial intelligence may be able to provide a solution.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; artificial neural networks; deep learning; donor–recipient matching; liver transplantation outcomes; random forest.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Random Forest
  • Tissue Donors