# Padua Prediction Score (VTE Risk in Medical Patients)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/padua-score/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The Padua prediction score estimates the risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots) in hospitalised medical patients from 11 risk factors, and identifies who should receive clot-prevention (thromboprophylaxis).

## Inputs

- Active cancer
- Previous VTE (excluding superficial thrombosis)
- Reduced mobility (bed rest for at least 3 days)
- Known thrombophilic condition
- Recent trauma or surgery (within 1 month)
- Age 70 or older
- Heart or respiratory failure
- Acute heart attack or ischaemic stroke
- Acute infection or rheumatological disorder
- Obesity (BMI 30 or more)
- Ongoing hormonal treatment

## Results

- Padua score
- VTE risk

## Formula

```
Score = sum of the points for each item
```

## Explanation

The Padua score was validated in 1,180 medical inpatients. Patients scoring 4 or more had an 11% risk of VTE without prophylaxis compared with 0.3% for those scoring under 4.

### How to use the Padua Prediction Score

- **Active cancer**
- **Previous VTE (excluding superficial thrombosis)**
- **Reduced mobility (bed rest for at least 3 days)**
- **Known thrombophilic condition**
- **Recent trauma or surgery (within 1 month)**
- **Age 70 or older**
- **Heart or respiratory failure**
- **Acute heart attack or ischaemic stroke**
- **Acute infection or rheumatological disorder**
- **Obesity (BMI 30 or more)**
- **Ongoing hormonal treatment**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Each answer carries the points shown in the published score. The calculator adds them up and maps the total to the published interpretation.

### Scoring table

ItemAnswers and pointsActive cancerNo = 0; Yes = 3Previous VTE (excluding superficial thrombosis)No = 0; Yes = 3Reduced mobility (bed rest for at least 3 days)No = 0; Yes = 3Known thrombophilic conditionNo = 0; Yes = 3Recent trauma or surgery (within 1 month)No = 0; Yes = 2Age 70 or olderNo = 0; Yes = 1Heart or respiratory failureNo = 0; Yes = 1Acute heart attack or ischaemic strokeNo = 0; Yes = 1Acute infection or rheumatological disorderNo = 0; Yes = 1Obesity (BMI 30 or more)No = 0; Yes = 1Ongoing hormonal treatmentNo = 0; Yes = 1

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterActive cancerChoose one: No, YesPrevious VTE (excluding superficial thrombosis)Choose one: No, YesReduced mobility (bed rest for at least 3 days)Choose one: No, YesKnown thrombophilic conditionChoose one: No, YesRecent trauma or surgery (within 1 month)Choose one: No, YesAge 70 or olderChoose one: No, YesHeart or respiratory failureChoose one: No, YesAcute heart attack or ischaemic strokeChoose one: No, YesAcute infection or rheumatological disorderChoose one: No, YesObesity (BMI 30 or more)Choose one: No, YesOngoing hormonal treatmentChoose one: No, Yes
*Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.*

## Worked example

Inputs — Active cancer: No; Previous VTE (excluding superficial thrombosis): No; Reduced mobility (bed rest for at least 3 days): Yes; Known thrombophilic condition: No; Recent trauma or surgery (within 1 month): No; Age 70 or older: Yes; Heart or respiratory failure: No; Acute heart attack or ischaemic stroke: No; Acute infection or rheumatological disorder: No; Obesity (BMI 30 or more): No; Ongoing hormonal treatment: No.

Results — **Padua score = 4 / 20**; VTE risk = High risk (about 11%) – consider thromboprophylaxis.

## Key terms

- **VTE**: Venous thromboembolism: deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

## FAQ

**What score needs clot prevention?**
4 or more, unless bleeding risk is high.

**What is thromboprophylaxis?**
Low-dose blood thinners or mechanical devices to prevent clots.

**Is Padua used for surgical patients?**
No – surgical patients use the Caprini score.


## Sources

- [Barbar S et al. A risk assessment model for the identification of hospitalized medical patients at risk for VTE: the Padua prediction score. J Thromb Haemost, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20738765/)