Introduction
Hospitalized medical patients face a substantial risk of venous thromboembolism, a potentially preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The Padua Score Calculator is a validated tool that quantifies this risk using 11 clinical variables. Clinicians use it to decide whether pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is warranted. This calculator automates the scoring, delivering a total score (0–17), risk category (low, high, or very high), and specific recommendations. It is designed for physicians, pharmacists, and nurses involved in inpatient care. All calculations run in your browser, ensuring patient privacy. Use it at the bedside or for documentation to support evidence-based VTE prevention.
How to Use the Padua Score Calculator
Review each of the 11 risk factors listed under Risk Factors.
Toggle Yes or No for each factor based on the patient’s clinical status.
Observe the total score update automatically as you make selections.
Click Calculate if you want to refresh the results manually.
Check the Total Score out of 17 and the Risk Category.
Read the VTE Risk percentage and the Recommendation for prophylaxis.
Use the quick example buttons to test low, moderate, high, and cancer patient profiles.
Copy, share, or embed the results using the buttons below.
How the Padua Score Calculator Formula Works
The Padua Score is an additive point system. Each of the 11 risk factors contributes a fixed number of points when present.
Formula:
Padua Score = sum of points for all present risk factors
Point assignments:
Active cancer: 3 points
Previous VTE (excluding superficial vein thrombosis): 3 points
Reduced mobility (bed rest with bathroom privileges for ≥3 days): 3 points
Known thrombophilia: 3 points
Recent trauma and/or surgery (within 1 month): 2 points
Age ≥70 years: 1 point
Heart and/or respiratory failure: 1 point
Acute MI and/or ischemic stroke: 1 point
Acute infection and/or rheumatologic disorder: 1 point
Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²): 1 point
Ongoing hormonal treatment: 1 point
Score range: 0–17 points.
Risk categories:
0–3: Low risk (<0.3% 90-day VTE risk) — no specific pharmacological prophylaxis; early ambulation.
4–6: High risk (~11% 90-day VTE risk) — thromboprophylaxis recommended (LMWH or DOAC) in patients without contraindications.
≥7: Very high risk (>11% 90-day VTE risk) — aggressive prophylaxis and consider extended duration.
The calculator does not validate inputs beyond the Yes/No toggles. Edge cases include all No (score 0) and all Yes (score 17).
Worked Example
Consider a 72-year-old woman admitted with acute infection and reduced mobility. She has active cancer and is over 70. She has no previous VTE, thrombophilia, recent surgery, heart failure, MI, stroke, obesity, or hormonal treatment.
Active cancer: Yes → 3 points
Reduced mobility: Yes → 3 points
Age ≥70: Yes → 1 point
Acute infection: Yes → 1 point
Total Score: 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 8 / 17
Risk Category: Very High Risk (≥7)
VTE Risk: >11% at 90 days
Recommendation: Very high risk of VTE. Aggressive thromboprophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consider extended prophylaxis post-discharge (6–39 days). Close monitoring for VTE and bleeding complications is essential.
This patient should receive pharmacological prophylaxis unless contraindicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Padua Score Calculator?
The Padua Score Calculator is a tool that estimates VTE risk in hospitalized medical patients using 11 clinical risk factors. It returns a total score, risk category, and recommendations for thromboprophylaxis.
How is the Padua Score calculated?
The score is the sum of points for present risk factors. Each factor has a fixed point value: active cancer, previous VTE, reduced mobility, and thrombophilia each add 3 points; recent trauma/surgery adds 2; age ≥70, heart/respiratory failure, acute MI/stroke, infection, obesity, and hormonal treatment each add 1.
What score indicates high VTE risk?
A score of 4 or higher indicates high risk, with an estimated 90-day VTE risk of about 11%. A score of 7 or higher indicates very high risk, with a risk greater than 11%.
What is the difference between Padua and Caprini scores?
The Padua Score is designed for medical inpatients, while the Caprini score is used for surgical patients. They use different risk factors and thresholds.
Can the Padua Score be used for surgical patients?
No, the Padua Score is validated for hospitalized medical patients, not surgical patients. Surgical patients should be assessed with the Caprini score or institutional protocols.
What are the contraindications to pharmacological prophylaxis?
Contraindications include active major bleeding, platelets <50 × 10⁹/L, severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min), and recent neuraxial anesthesia. Always evaluate bleeding risk before initiating anticoagulation.
Is the Padua Score free to use?
Yes, the calculator is completely free and runs in your browser. No data is transmitted or stored.
What should I do if my patient has a high Padua Score?
A high score (≥4) warrants thromboprophylaxis unless contraindicated. Consider LMWH or a DOAC, and reassess bleeding risk. For very high scores (≥7), consider extended prophylaxis after discharge.
Can the Padua Score be used in children?
No, the Padua Score is validated for adults. Pediatric VTE risk assessment uses different criteria.
How often should the Padua Score be reassessed?
Reassess when the patient’s clinical status changes, such as after transfer, new diagnosis, or development of new risk factors. Daily reassessment during admission is reasonable.
