Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score

The MELD score is a medical tool used to assess the severity of liver disease and prioritize patients for liver transplantation. It uses blood test results—including levels of bilirubin, creatinine, and INR (a measure of blood clotting)—to calculate a numerical score. A higher MELD score indicates more serious liver impairment and a greater urgency for a transplant. The system helps doctors make informed decisions about who needs a liver urgently, aiming to save lives by matching the sickest patients with available organs efficiently.