Interpretation
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0–1 | Low risk |
| 2 | Moderate risk |
| 3–4 | High risk |
| ≥ 5 | Highest risk |
Formula
Age 41–60 = 1, 61–74 = 2, ≥75 = 3. 1 point: minor surgery, major surgery <1 mo, varicose veins, IBD, swollen legs, BMI >25, acute MI, CHF <1 mo, sepsis <1 mo, serious lung disease <1 mo, COPD, medical bed rest, other; women: OCP/HRT, pregnancy/postpartum, adverse obstetric history. 2 points: arthroscopic, malignancy, major surgery >45 min, laparoscopic >45 min, bed >72 h, cast <1 mo, central venous access. 3 points: prior DVT/PE, family history, factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210A, homocysteine, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, HIT, other thrombophilia. 5 points: elective lower-extremity arthroplasty, hip/pelvis/leg fracture, stroke, multiple trauma, acute spinal cord injury (all <1 month).
Clinical pearls
- Every applicable item is counted; unchecked items are treated as absent, as on the original checklist.
- ACCP 2012 maps Caprini 0 = very low, 1–2 = low, 3–4 = moderate, ≥5 = high risk in general/abdominal-pelvic surgery.
- Always weigh bleeding risk; use mechanical prophylaxis when bleeding risk is high.
Examples
caprini 65 yo major surgery over 45 min with colon cancercaprini score 35F minor surgery on OCPsurgical vte risk 78 year old hip fracture with prior dvt
FAQ
What Caprini score needs DVT prophylaxis?
At 3–4 points (moderate per ACCP) LMWH, low-dose heparin or IPC is suggested; at ≥5 pharmacologic prophylaxis is recommended, often extended to 4 weeks after cancer surgery.
Which version of the Caprini score is this?
The 2005 version published in Disease-a-Month, which most validation studies (e.g. Bahl 2010) used.