Caprini risk assessment model
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]
Overview
The Caprini risk score is a risk assessment tool for the occurrence of venous thromboembolism among surgical patients. The Caprini risk score includes 20 variables and it is derived from a prospective study of 538 general surgery patients.[1]
Caprini Risk Assessment Model
Calculation of the Caprini Risk Score
Shown below is a table depicting the different scores for the factors included in the Caprini score.[1]
| 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) |
❑ 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 of all factors present in the patient. The Caprini score is interpreted in the following way:[1][2]
- 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
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Caprini JA, Arcelus JI, Hasty JH, Tamhane AC, Fabrega F (1991). "Clinical assessment of venous thromboembolic risk in surgical patients". Semin Thromb Hemost. 17 Suppl 3: 304–12. PMID 1754886.
- ↑ Caprini JA (2005). "Thrombosis risk assessment as a guide to quality patient care". Dis Mon. 51 (2–3): 70–8. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2005.02.003. PMID 15900257.