What is the Caprini Score?

The Caprini Score is a validated risk stratification model that assigns point values to individual patient risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The total places patients in the very low, low, moderate or high risk group used by the CHEST 2012 guideline to guide prophylaxis decisions.

What score indicates high VTE risk?

In the CHEST general/abdominal-pelvic surgery adaptation, 5 or more is the high-risk category. Other specialties and model versions may use different groupings.

Is this calculator a substitute for clinical judgment?

No. The Caprini Score is a clinical decision-support tool. Treatment decisions must account for the patient's bleeding risk, contraindications to anticoagulation, and institutional protocols. Always consult a qualified clinician.

What does a Caprini score of 0–2 mean?

In the CHEST adaptation, 0 is very low risk and 1–2 is low risk. For very low risk, CHEST suggests early walking and no specific prophylaxis. For low risk, it suggests mechanical prophylaxis, preferably intermittent pneumatic compression, rather than none. Blood thinners are usually not needed in either group.

Which surgeries use the Caprini model?

The Caprini RAM was originally validated for general surgery patients but is now widely applied across plastic surgery, orthopedic, gynecologic, urologic, and other surgical specialties.

What Caprini score needs a blood thinner?

For general and abdominal-pelvic surgery, CHEST 2012 (Gould et al.) suggests low-molecular-weight heparin, low-dose unfractionated heparin or mechanical prophylaxis at moderate risk (3–4), and heparin plus mechanical prophylaxis at high risk (5 or more), unless bleeding risk is high. The final choice follows your hospital protocol.

Which risk factors score 5 points?

In this calculator: stroke in the past month, elective hip or knee replacement, hip, pelvis or leg fracture, acute spinal cord injury with paralysis in the past month, and multiple trauma in the past month. Any one of them puts the patient in the high-risk group on its own.

Caprini Score: VTE Risk Points, Risk Levels and Calculator

Quick answer

The Caprini score adds 1, 2, 3 or 5 points for each VTE risk factor a surgical patient has. In the CHEST 2012 guideline for general and abdominal-pelvic surgery, 0 is very low risk, 1–2 low, 3–4 moderate and 5 or more high.

Examples

Patient	Points	Risk
Age 45, minor surgery	1 + 1 = 2	Low
Age 50, BMI over 25, laparoscopic surgery over 45 min	1 + 1 + 2 = 4	Moderate
Age 65, major open surgery, cancer	2 + 2 + 2 = 6	High
Age 76, hip fracture	3 + 5 = 8	High

Tick the risk factors.

Summary

The Caprini Risk Assessment Model (RAM) is a validated scoring system used to stratify surgical patients by their risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Each risk factor is assigned a point value of 1–5, and the total score determines the patient's risk category. Higher scores indicate a greater need for pharmacologic or mechanical VTE prophylaxis.

How it works

Select all risk factors that apply to the patient across five point categories.
Each checked factor adds its point value to the running total.
The calculator sums all selected points automatically.
For general/abdominal-pelvic surgery, the CHEST adaptation uses 0 very low, 1–2 low, 3–4 moderate, and 5 or more high.
The score alone does not prescribe prophylaxis type or duration.
Always combine the score with clinical judgment and institutional protocols.

Use cases

Pre-operative VTE risk stratification for elective and emergency surgeries.
Guiding choice between mechanical (compression) and pharmacologic (anticoagulant) prophylaxis.
Identifying patients who may benefit from extended post-discharge thromboprophylaxis.
Documenting VTE risk assessment for surgical quality improvement programs.
Teaching medical students and residents about VTE prevention protocols.
Supporting clinical decision-making in perioperative care settings.

Caprini Score

1 1 Point Each

2 2 Points Each

3 3 Points Each

5 5 Points Each

Quick answer

Examples

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Caprini Score

Use the Caprini Score

1 1 Point Each

2 2 Points Each

3 3 Points Each

5 5 Points Each

Quick answer

Examples

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions