A risk assessment tool for the occurrence of venous thromboembolism among surgical patients.
The risk score includes 20 variables and it is derived from a prospective study of general surgery patients.
Caprini Risk Assessment Model
Different scores for the factors included in the Caprini score.
5 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
❑ Stroke, in the previous month
❑ Fracture of the hip, pelvis, or leg
❑ Elective arthroplasty
❑ Acute spinal cord injury, in the previous month
❑ and Age≥ 75 years
❑ Prior episodes of VTE
❑ Positive family history for VTE
❑ Prothrombin 20210 A
❑ Factor V Leiden
❑ Lupus anticoagulants
❑ Anticardiolipin antibodies
❑ High homocysteine in the blood
❑ Heparin induced thrombocytopenia
❑ Other congenital or acquired thrombophilia
❑ Age: 61-74 years
❑ Arthroscopic surgery
❑ Laparoscopy lasting more than 45 minutes
❑ General surgery lasting more than 45 minutes
❑ Cancer
❑ Plaster cast
❑ Bed bound for more than 72 hours
❑ Central venous access
❑ Age 41-60 years
❑ BMI > 25 Kg/m2
❑ Minor surgery
❑ Edema in the lower extremities
❑ Varicose veins
❑ Pregnancy
❑ Post-partum
❑ Oral contraceptive
❑ Hormonal therapy
❑ Unexplained or recurrent abortion
❑ Sepsis in the previous month
❑ Serious lung disease such as pneumonia in the previous month
❑ Abnormal pulmonary function test
❑ Acute myocardial infarction
❑ Congestive heart failure in the previous month.
❑ Bed rest
❑ Inflammatory bowel disease
Interpretation of the Caprini Risk Score
The Caprini score is calculated by adding the scores.
Score 0-1: Low risk of VTE
Score 2: Moderate of VTE
Score 3-4: High risk of VTE
Score ≥ 5: Highest risk for VTE
Not helpful in evaluating hospitalized medical patients (Grant PJ et al).