🦵 Caprini VTE Risk Score (Surgical)
Calculate the Caprini score to stratify venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in surgical inpatients and guide thromboprophylaxis.
Caprini VTE Risk Score (Surgical)
Age
Number of 1-point factors (minor surgery, BMI > 25, leg edema, varicose veins, sepsis/severe lung disease, OCP/HRT, pregnancy/postpartum, medical bed rest, IBD history, recent MI/CHF, etc.) (items)
Number of 2-point factors (major surgery > 45 min, laparoscopy > 45 min, arthroscopy, malignancy, bed rest > 72 h, cast immobilization, central venous access) (items)
Number of 3-point factors (prior VTE, family history of VTE, factor V Leiden/prothrombin 20210A, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, hyperhomocysteinemia, HIT, other thrombophilia) (items)
Number of 5-point factors (stroke < 1 mo, elective arthroplasty, hip/pelvis/leg fracture, acute spinal cord injury < 1 mo) (items)
When to use
Risk-stratify surgical patients to choose mechanical and/or pharmacologic prophylaxis.
How it works
Sum weighted factors: age band (0–3) + 1-point + 2-point + 3-point + 5-point factors. 0 very low, 1–2 low, 3–4 high, ≥ 5 highest.
Key points
- Assesses VTE risk only — assess bleeding risk before anticoagulating.
- Age is a single mutually-exclusive choice.
- Specialty thresholds and prophylaxis choices vary.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.