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Geneva Risk Score for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis

Geneva Risk Score for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis
Decompensated cardiac failure
Respiratory failure
Acute stroke (<3 months)
Recent myocardial infarction (<4 weeks)
Acute infection or sepsis
Acute rheumatic disease
Active malignancy
Myeloproliferative syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome
Prior venous thromboembolism
Known thrombophilia
Immobilisation >=3 days
Recent long-distance travel (>6 hours)
Age >60 years
BMI >30 kg/m2
Chronic venous insufficiency
Pregnancy or post-partum
Hormonal therapy (oestrogen/HRT)
Dehydration
Result0 points

Low risk of VTE - routine pharmacologic prophylaxis is generally not required.

Risk category
Low risk (<3 points)

When to use

  • Deciding whether a hospitalised medical (non-surgical) patient needs pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis.

Formula

Sum of weighted risk factors (2 points each for major factors such as cardiac/respiratory failure, active cancer, prior VTE, thrombophilia; 1 point each for minor factors such as age >60, obesity, immobilisation). Score >=3 defines high risk.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Compared favourably with the Padua Prediction Score for identifying truly low-risk patients who can safely forgo prophylaxis.

References

  1. Nendaz M, Spirk D, Kucher N, et al. Thromb Haemost. 2014;111(3):531-8.