Caprini Score (2005) – VTE Risk
Stratifies venous thromboembolism risk in surgical patients to guide prophylaxis decisions
For use by health professionals only. This tool does not replace clinical judgement, institutional protocols, or a separate bleeding-risk assessment. Not for patient self-management.
Risk factors (Caprini Risk Assessment Model, 2005)
Include risk factors present now or within the last month, unless otherwise specified.
Caprini VTE score: 0
Risk category: Not yet calculated
Suggested VTE prophylaxis approach: —
Select all applicable risk factors and click “Calculate score” to see the Caprini score and its interpretation.
Typical interpretation for surgical patients (Caprini 2005): 0 = very low risk; 1–2 = low risk; 3–4 = moderate risk; ≥5 = high risk. Patients with scores ≥9 are often considered very high risk in modern studies. Final prophylaxis decisions must follow local guidelines and bleeding-risk assessment.
The Caprini Score for Venous Thromboembolism (2005) is a risk assessment model used mainly in surgical patients to estimate their chance of developing VTE (DVT or PE) and to guide the choice of mechanical and/or pharmacologic prophylaxis. It was developed by Joseph Caprini and has become one of the most widely validated tools for perioperative VTE risk stratification.andersonmedsupplies.com+2JAMA Network+2
How the Caprini Score (2005) works
The Caprini model assigns points to individual risk factors related to:
- Age
- Type and duration of surgery
- Recent trauma or fractures
- Active or previous cancer
- Previous VTE and family history
- Thrombophilia and abnormal clotting markers
- Immobility, plaster casts, central venous catheters
- Medical comorbidities (heart failure, lung disease, sepsis, etc.)
- Hormonal therapy, pregnancy/postpartum, obesity, etc.Queensland Health+1
Each factor is worth 1, 2, 3, or 5 points. The total score is the sum of all present risk factors (usually those current or within the past month).Queensland Health+1
Typical risk categories (Caprini 2005)
Many guidelines use the following bands for surgical patients:Queensland Health+2Mayo Clinic Proceedings+2
- 0 points – Very low risk
- Early ambulation usually sufficient; no routine pharmacologic prophylaxis.
- 1–2 points – Low risk
- Mechanical methods (e.g. intermittent pneumatic compression) often recommended.
- 3–4 points – Moderate risk
- Pharmacologic ± mechanical prophylaxis typically advised.
- ≥5 points – High risk
- Pharmacologic and mechanical prophylaxis generally recommended, unless contraindicated.
Large validation studies show that VTE risk rises sharply as the Caprini score increases, particularly at ≥5 and especially ≥9, where absolute VTE rates can exceed 10% in some populations.JAMA Network+1
