Predicts venous thromboembolism risk in surgical patients
When to Use
Preoperative VTE risk assessment for surgical patients
Guides selection of VTE prophylaxis type (mechanical, pharmacologic, or both)
Applicable to general, orthopedic, gynecologic, urologic, and other surgical patients
When NOT to Use
Medical (non-surgical) patients — use Padua Prediction Score instead
Patients already on therapeutic anticoagulation
Should not replace clinical judgment for patients with active bleeding or high bleeding risk
Running Total0 / 0
Age
Patient age
years
1-Point Risk Factors
Minor surgery planned(+1 point)
BMI > 25 kg/m²(+1 point)
Swollen legs (current)(+1 point)
Varicose veins(+1 point)
Pregnancy or postpartum (< 1 month)(+1 point)
History of unexplained or recurrent spontaneous abortion(+1 point)
Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy(+1 point)
Sepsis (< 1 month)(+1 point)
Serious lung disease including pneumonia (< 1 month)(+1 point)
Abnormal pulmonary function (COPD)(+1 point)
Acute myocardial infarction(+1 point)
Congestive heart failure (< 1 month)(+1 point)
History of inflammatory bowel disease(+1 point)
Medical patient currently on bed rest(+1 point)
Central venous access(+1 point)
2-Point Risk Factors
Arthroscopic surgery(+2 points)
Major open surgery (> 45 minutes)(+2 points)
Laparoscopic surgery (> 45 minutes)(+2 points)
Malignancy (present or previous)(+2 points)
Confined to bed (> 72 hours)(+2 points)
Immobilizing plaster cast(+2 points)
3-Point Risk Factors
History of DVT/PE(+3 points)
Family history of DVT/PE(+3 points)
Factor V Leiden(+3 points)
Prothrombin 20210A(+3 points)
Lupus anticoagulant(+3 points)
Anticardiolipin antibodies(+3 points)
Elevated serum homocysteine(+3 points)
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)(+3 points)
Other congenital or acquired thrombophilia(+3 points)
5-Point Risk Factors
Stroke (< 1 month)(+5 points)
Elective major lower extremity arthroplasty(+5 points)
Hip, pelvis, or leg fracture (< 1 month)(+5 points)
Acute spinal cord injury (< 1 month)(+5 points)
Risk Stratification Summary
Score 0
Very Low (~0.5%)
Early ambulation
Score 1–2
Low (~1.5%)
Mechanical (IPC/GCS)
Score 3–4
Moderate (~3%)
Pharmacologic ± mechanical
Score ≥5
High (~6%)
Pharmacologic + mechanical, consider extended
Evidence & References
Caprini JA. Thrombosis risk assessment as a guide to quality patient care. Dis Mon. 2005;51(2-3):70-78.PMID: 15900257
Bahl V, Hu HM, Henke PK, Wakefield TW, Campbell DA Jr, Caprini JA. A validation study of a retrospective venous thromboembolism risk scoring method. Ann Surg. 2010;251(2):344-350.PMID: 19779324
Gould MK, Garcia DA, Wren SM, et al. Prevention of VTE in Nonorthopedic Surgical Patients: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl):e227S-e277S.PMID: 22315263
Disclaimer: This calculator is a clinical decision aid and does not replace clinical judgment. Always consider the full clinical context when making patient care decisions.