What is the Caprini risk score?

The Caprini RAM is a validated point-based model that quantifies a surgical patient's cumulative VTE risk from individual clinical and demographic factors. Scores range from 0 upward with no ceiling, and higher totals indicate greater 90-day VTE risk.

How are the risk categories defined?

Low risk = 0–1 point (VTE event rate ~0.5%); Moderate risk = 2 points (~1.5%); High risk = 3–4 points (~3%); Highest risk = 5 or more points (~6–12%). These thresholds follow the 2013 Caprini model widely used in North American surgical practice.

What prophylaxis is recommended for each category?

Low: early ambulation only. Moderate: mechanical prophylaxis (e.g., compression stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression). High: pharmacologic prophylaxis (LMWH or UFH) plus mechanical. Highest: pharmacologic plus mechanical; extended-duration prophylaxis may be warranted. Always confirm with institutional protocols and patient-specific bleeding risk.

Does a high Caprini score mean the patient must receive anticoagulation?

Not automatically. The score guides risk stratification, but the treating clinician must weigh bleeding risk, patient preferences, and institutional protocols before prescribing any prophylaxis. This tool is decision-support, not a prescribing system.

Is this tool validated for all surgical populations?

The Caprini model was originally validated in general, vascular, and urological surgery. Its use has since been extended to plastic, orthopedic, and other specialties, though some factors carry different weights in specialty-specific adaptations. Verify which version applies to your patient population.

Does this tool store patient information?

No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. Nothing is transmitted to or stored on any server.

Caprini VTE Risk Score Calculator — DVT/PE Prophylaxis, Surgery

Summary

Check applicable risk factors to compute the Caprini VTE score and receive a risk category with recommended prophylaxis guidance.

How it works

Check every risk factor that applies to the patient from the grouped list.
Each factor adds 1, 2, 3, or 5 points to the total score.
The calculator sums all selected points in real time.
The total is mapped to a risk category: Low (0–1), Moderate (2), High (3–4), or Highest (≥ 5).
A prophylaxis recommendation is displayed based on the risk category and standard guidelines.
No patient data is sent to any server — all computation happens in your browser.

Use cases

Pre-operative VTE risk stratification for elective and emergency surgery.
Determine whether mechanical, pharmacologic, or combined prophylaxis is appropriate.
Document VTE risk assessment in surgical admission notes.
Educate medical students and residents on Caprini scoring methodology.
Support quality-improvement audits of VTE prevention protocols.
Quickly re-score a patient when their clinical status changes post-operatively.

Caprini VTE Risk Score Calculator

Risk Factor Checklist

Score & Risk Category