What is the Caprini Score?

A VTE risk assessment for surgical patients. Guides prophylaxis intensity (mechanical, pharmacologic, extended). Higher scores = more aggressive prophylaxis.

What are the risk levels?

0: Very low (<0.5%), no prophylaxis. 1-2: Low (~1.5%), early ambulation, SCDs. 3-4: Moderate (3%), pharmacoprophylaxis. ≥5: High (6%+), pharma + mechanicalacute.

When should I extend prophylaxis?

Caprini ≥5 undergoing abdominal/pelvic surgery for cancer: consider extended prophylaxis (4 weeks post-op).

What about bleeding risk?

Caprini doesn't assess bleeding risk. Weigh VTE risk against surgical bleeding risk. May need to delay pharmacoprophylaxis if high bleed risk.

Does this apply to medical patients?

Caprini is validated for surgical patients. For medical patients, consider Padua or IMPROVE scores.

Caprini VTE Score

Q: What are the risk levels?

0: Very low (<0.5%), no prophylaxis. 1-2: Low (~1.5%), early ambulation, SCDs. 3-4: Moderate (3%), pharmacoprophylaxis. ≥5: High (6%+), pharma + mechanicalacute.

Q: When should I extend prophylaxis?

Caprini ≥5 undergoing abdominal/pelvic surgery for cancer: consider extended prophylaxis (4 weeks post-op).

Q: What about bleeding risk?

Caprini doesn't assess bleeding risk. Weigh VTE risk against surgical bleeding risk. May need to delay pharmacoprophylaxis if high bleed risk.

Q: Does this apply to medical patients?

Caprini is validated for surgical patients. For medical patients, consider Padua or IMPROVE scores.

Surgical VTE risk and prophylaxis recommendations.

Age

Surgery

Clinical

History

Caprini Score

0

VTE Risk: <0.5%

Very Low Risk

Early ambulation only

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use

About the Caprini Calculator

What it calculates

Scores venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk using the Caprini model for surgical and hospitalized patients.

When to use it

Use perioperatively to guide DVT prophylaxis decisions based on patient risk factors and procedure type.

Example

A Caprini score ≥5 indicates high VTE risk and typically warrants pharmacologic prophylaxis.

Explore More

Caprini VTE Score

Age

Surgery

Clinical

History

0

Very Low Risk

About the Caprini Calculator

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