ToolsCalculators
Caprini Score for VTE Risk (2005)
Venous thromboembolism risk stratification in surgical and medical patients.
Caprini Score for VTE Risk (2005)
Age
Minor surgery planned
BMI > 25 kg/m²
Swollen legs (current)
Varicose veins
Sepsis (< 1 month)
Serious lung disease incl. pneumonia (< 1 month)
Abnormal pulmonary function / COPD
Acute myocardial infarction
Congestive heart failure (< 1 month)
History of inflammatory bowel disease
Medical patient at bed rest
Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement
Pregnancy or postpartum (< 1 month)
History of unexplained / recurrent abortion
Arthroscopic surgery
Major open surgery (> 45 min)
Laparoscopic surgery (> 45 min)
Malignancy (present or previous)
Confined to bed > 72 hours
Immobilising plaster cast (< 1 month)
Central venous access
History of VTE
Family history of VTE
Factor V Leiden
Prothrombin 20210A mutation
Lupus anticoagulant
Anticardiolipin antibodies
Elevated serum homocysteine
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Other congenital / acquired thrombophilia
Stroke (< 1 month)
Elective major lower-extremity arthroplasty
Hip, pelvis or leg fracture (< 1 month)
Acute spinal cord injury / paralysis (< 1 month)
Result0 points
Low risk for venous thromboembolism.
- Risk category
- Low risk
When to use
- Stratifying VTE risk to guide mechanical or pharmacological prophylaxis in surgical and medical inpatients.
Formula
Add weighted points (1, 2, 3 or 5) for each risk factor plus age band. Categories: 0–1 low, 2 moderate, 3–4 high, ≥ 5 highest risk.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Several factors can be counted together — select every applicable item.
- Higher scores support extended prophylaxis, particularly after major cancer or orthopaedic surgery.