Wells’ Criteria for DVT
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The Wells’ DVT Criteria can be used in the outpatient and emergency department setting. By risk stratifying to low risk (Wells’ Score <2) and a negative D-dimer, the clinician can exclude the need for ultrasound (US) to rule out DVT.
Go to the MDCalc Wells’ Criteria for DVT.
Notes
- There is an overall low prevalence of DVT in patients where there is low (<25%) clinical suspicion.
- The Wells' Score inherently incorporates clinical gestalt with a minus 2 score for alternative diagnosis more likely.
- Sequelae from DVT include pulmonary embolism (PE) and pulmonary hypertension, which have an associated mortality of 1-8%.
- Anticoagulation is the mainstay treatment for DVT with its own associated risks of bleeding.
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