What is the Caprini VTE risk score?

The Caprini score is a validated risk assessment model for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in surgical patients. It assigns points for various risk factors including age, BMI, surgery type, history of VTE, malignancy, and other comorbidities to stratify patients into VTE risk categories.

How is the Caprini score interpreted?

Risk categories: 0 points = very low risk (<0.5%), 1–2 = low risk (~1.5%), 3–4 = moderate risk (~3%), and ≥ 5 = high risk (~6%). VTE prophylaxis recommendations increase with risk level, from early ambulation (very low) to pharmacologic prophylaxis ± mechanical (moderate/high).

When should the Caprini score be calculated?

The Caprini score should be calculated preoperatively for all adult surgical patients to guide VTE prophylaxis decisions. It is most validated in general, vascular, and urologic surgery. Different scoring modifications exist for plastic surgery and orthopedic procedures.

Caprini VTE-Risikoscore — Chirurgisches TVT/LE-Risiko

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What Is the Caprini-Score?

The Caprini Risk Assessment Model (RAM) is a validated tool for individual VTE risk stratification in surgical patients. Developed by Dr. Joseph Caprini, it assigns weighted points to over 35 risk factors spanning patient demographics, medical history, surgical characteristics, and thrombophilia states. The cumulative score determines VTE risk category and guides prophylaxis recommendations.

Risikostratifizierung

Patients are classified into four risk categories: very low (0 points, ~0.5% VTE risk), low (1–2 points, ~1.5%), moderate (3–4 points, ~3.0%), and high (≥ 5 points, ~6.0% without prophylaxis). This risk-adapted approach ensures appropriate prophylaxis intensity while minimizing unnecessary bleeding risk in low-risk patients.

🔑 Klinische Hinweise

Most hospitalized surgical patients score ≥ 3 — pharmacologic prophylaxis is appropriate for the majority.
Age-related points are exclusive: pick only one age category (41–60, 61–74, or ≥ 75).
For cancer surgery, consider extended prophylaxis (28 days) with LMWH per ASCO guidelines.
The Caprini score has been validated with > 10,000 patients across multiple surgical specialties.

Wichtige Referenzen

Caprini JA. Thrombosis risk assessment as a guide to quality patient care. Dis Mon. 2005;51(2-3):70-78.
Gould MK, et al. Prevention of VTE in nonorthopedic surgical patients: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl):e227S-e277S.

Caprini VTE-Risikoscore

Risikofaktoren

Über dieses Tool

What Is the Caprini-Score?

Risikostratifizierung

🔑 Klinische Hinweise

Wichtige Referenzen

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