Hepatology

MELD-Na (UNOS 2016)

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Cross-checked against published sources on October 8, 2026 (automated, AI-assisted); not reviewed by a licensed clinician. Not medical advice, not for diagnosis or treatment decisions. Always verify with current guidelines and consult a qualified professional. We may be wrong: this page can contain errors. If you spot one, report it and we will check it against current sources and correct it.

Sources checked (3)

Elsevier / AGA (Gastroenterology) via PubMed Central. MELD 3.0: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Updated for the Modern Era (accessed October 8, 2026)
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva (Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgia Digestiva) via PubMed Central. Impact of MELD sodium on liver transplantation waiting list (accessed October 8, 2026)
Massachusetts Medical Society (N Engl J Med) via PubMed Central. Hyponatremia and mortality among patients on the liver-transplant waiting list (NIH manuscript) (accessed October 8, 2026)

Source policy Medical disclaimer

Formula

MELD-Na = MELD + 1.32 x (137 - Na) - [0.033 x MELD x (137 - Na)] when MELD is above 11; Na bounded between 125 and 137.

Limitations

The 1.32 / 0.033 / 137 form is the OPTN version (used since 2016). Kim 2008 published a different expression, MELDNa = MELD - Na - [0.025 x MELD x (140 - Na)] + 140 with sodium bounded between 125 and 140; do not confuse them.
MELD 3.0 (2023 allocation) adds sex and albumin and is not implemented.

References

Hyponatremia and mortality among patients on the liver-transplant waiting list. Kim WR, Biggins SW, Kremers WK, et al. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(10):1018-1026. PMID 18768945
OPTN/UNOS Policy 9 (MELD-Na allocation, 2016). Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Allocation of Livers and Liver-Intestines. Version to be specified by reviewer.