1. Joseph A. Caprini, MD, MS, FACS, RVT
The Caprini Score
Joseph A. Caprini, MD, MS, FACS, RVT
Emeritus, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL
Senior Clinician Educator, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

2. Risk Assessment
“I’m sorry, the CAT scanner is broken, so I’ll have to take your history and physical.”

3. Caprini Thrombosis Risk Scoring
Assign point value to risk factor – literature*
Total the points to obtain a score
Compare score to 30 day real VTE events
Obtain VTE rate for each score
Balance VTE rate vs. bleeding rate
Administer prophylaxis according to VTE rate
Type
Duration
Validate results for specific populations
* Example Borow M, Goldson H. Am J Surg;141(2): , 1981
Caprini JA, Arcelus JI, Hasty JH, et al. Clinical assessment of venous thromboembolic risk in surgical patients. Semin Thromb Hemost 1991;17 Suppl 3:

4. Completing The Score Initial form completed by the patient AND family
DYNAMIC INSTRUMENT
Initial form completed by the patient AND family
Healthcare professional checks form
Calculates initial score
Score revised during hospital stay reflecting –
Reoperation
Infection
Central lines
Cancer diagnosed during stay
Unplanned level of immobility

5. Validation of a Patient-Completed Caprini Risk Assessment Tool for Venous Thromboembolism Risk Assessment
 Fuentes HE, et al.

6. Validation of a Patient-Completed Caprini Risk Assessment Tool for Venous Thromboembolism Risk Assessment
FIGURE 2. Correlation for patient-completed CRS
FIGURE 3. Bland Altman for patient-completed CRS

7. Pitfalls Using The Patient Completed Form
Patients often fail to answer family history question correctly
Often do not understand BMI
Overlook pitting edema without finger pressure by examiner
History of obstetrical complications not fully understood
Patients may be carriers of the ACA or Beta2 abnormalities
Healthcare provider reviews the patient form and makes sure the above factors are properly documented and a final admission score calculated

8. Summary
Make sure your physician provides a form with all the risk factors or asks all of the important questions
Ideally the patient should complete a preliminary form with the help of their family and loved ones
Ask your physican what measures will be used to prevent a blood clot postoperatively
A second opinion may be justified depending on the answers to these questions