🦵 Wells Score for DVT
UseDecide between D-dimer and ultrasound in suspected DVT.
Strata≥ 2 = DVT likely → proximal compression ultrasound. < 2 = unlikely → high-sensitivity D-dimer; negative D-dim…
LimitsDo not use alone when suspicion is very high or in pregnancy without … · A negative ultrasound with ongoing concern may need repeat imaging or… · Score supports, not replaces, imaging and clinical judgement.
SourceWells PS, et al. N Engl J Med 2003
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
- Who it is for
- Adult medical inpatients who need a VTE risk assessment. Suspected DVT follows the diagnostic path only; this page does not make prophylaxis decisions.
- Who it is not for
- Treatment duration for confirmed VTE is not this prophylaxis card. Acute PE is not handled on the prophylaxis card.
- Formula and variables
- Padua is the entry for medical VTE risk assessment. IMPROVE bleed assesses bleeding risk. Caprini is the surgical entry. IMPROVE VTE does not replace Padua. Wells DVT serves only the diagnostic path. Thresholds stay as on this page. The formula is not changed.
- Result → next step
- This page is only the diagnostic probability of DVT. Next is the diagnostic pathway. This page does not make prophylaxis decisions and gives no medication or dose information.No numeric dose until age, weight, renal function, and pregnancy are all known. Pregnancy is contraindication or caution only.DVT diagnostic pathway →
- Guideline
- China PTE guideline 2018
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Unlikely + negative high-sensitivity D-dimer excludes DVT.
When to use
Decide between D-dimer and ultrasound in suspected DVT.
How it works
Sum 9 clinical items (+1 each); subtract 2 if an alternative diagnosis is at least as likely. ≥ 2 = DVT likely, < 2 = unlikely.
Key points
- Unlikely + negative high-sensitivity D-dimer excludes DVT.
- Likely → proximal compression ultrasound.
- The score supports, not replaces, imaging.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Active cancer | No |
|---|---|
| Paralysis/paresis or recent immobilisation of leg | No |
| Bedridden ≥ 3 days or surgery within 12 weeks | No |
| Localised tenderness along deep veins | No |
| Entire leg swollen | No |
| Calf swelling > 3 cm vs other leg | No |
| Pitting oedema (symptomatic leg) | No |
| Collateral superficial veins (non-varicose) | No |
| Previously documented DVT | No |
| Alternative diagnosis as likely or more | No |
→Wells (DVT)0
- Probability：DVT unlikely
- Suggested pathway：Unlikely → high-sensitivity D-dimer; if negative, DVT excluded.
| Active cancer | Yes (+1) |
|---|---|
| Paralysis/paresis or recent immobilisation of leg | Yes (+1) |
| Bedridden ≥ 3 days or surgery within 12 weeks | Yes (+1) |
| Localised tenderness along deep veins | Yes (+1) |
| Entire leg swollen | Yes (+1) |
| Calf swelling > 3 cm vs other leg | Yes (+1) |
| Pitting oedema (symptomatic leg) | Yes (+1) |
| Collateral superficial veins (non-varicose) | Yes (+1) |
| Previously documented DVT | Yes (+1) |
| Alternative diagnosis as likely or more | Yes (−2) |
→Wells (DVT)7
- Probability：DVT likely
- Suggested pathway：Likely → proximal compression ultrasound.
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Wells Score for DVT upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.