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Caprini score: venous thromboembolism risk

Adds the surgical risk factors of the Caprini model and grades venous thrombosis risk.

When to use

Surgical or medical inpatient where venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is being decided.

Pearls and pitfalls
  • Items are worth 1, 2, 3 or 5 points, and age enters as a band rather than a separate item.
  • The risk bands are 0 very low, 1 to 2 low, 3 to 4 moderate and 5 or more high.
  • The score was designed to guide prophylaxis and does not replace the bleeding assessment.
  • Each service uses its own prophylaxis protocol: the band is the starting point, not the prescription.

Age band

Minor surgery (1 point)

BMI above 25 kg/m2 (1 point)

Swollen legs (1 point)

Varicose veins (1 point)

Pregnancy or postpartum (1 point)

Past miscarriage (1 point)

Hormonal contraception (1 point)

Sepsis within 1 month (1 point)

Severe pulmonary disease (1 point)

Abnormal lung function (1 point)

Acute myocardial infarction (1 point)

Heart failure within 1 month (1 point)

Inflammatory bowel disease (1 point)

Non surgical bed rest (1 point)

Arthroscopy (2 points)

Major open surgery over 45 minutes (2 points)

Laparoscopy over 45 minutes (2 points)

Cancer (2 points)

Bed rest over 72 hours (2 points)

Immobilisation with plaster (2 points)

Central venous catheter (2 points)

Prior venous thrombosis (3 points)

Family history of venous thrombosis (3 points)

Factor V Leiden (3 points)

Prothrombin 20210A mutation (3 points)

Lupus anticoagulant (3 points)

Anticardiolipin antibodies (3 points)

Hyperhomocysteinaemia (3 points)

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (3 points)

Stroke within 1 month (5 points)

Elective arthroplasty (5 points)

Pelvis, hip or leg fracture (5 points)

Acute spinal lesion within 1 month (5 points)

Fill in the fields to see the result.

Formula

Sum of the 1, 2, 3 and 5 point items plus the age band.

Evidence

Thromboembolic risk model validated in surgical cohorts and used in prophylaxis protocols.

References

  1. Utility of the Caprini risk assessment model in guiding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after abdominoplasty. JPRAS Open. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.09.017
  2. In-hospital DVT detection, thromboprophylaxis practice, and guideline adherence in patients with traumatic fractures. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2026;10:106926. doi:10.1016/j.rpth.2026.106926

Frequently asked questions

What is Caprini score: venous thromboembolism risk?

Adds the surgical risk factors of the Caprini model and grades venous thrombosis risk. Surgical or medical inpatient where venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is being decided.

How is the result calculated?

Sum of the 1, 2, 3 and 5 point items plus the age band.

How should the result be interpreted?

Thromboembolic risk model validated in surgical cohorts and used in prophylaxis protocols.

What are the sources?

Utility of the Caprini risk assessment model in guiding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after abdominoplasty. JPRAS Open. 2025. In-hospital DVT detection, thromboprophylaxis practice, and guideline adherence in patients with traumatic fractures. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2026;10:106926.

Updated