Wells Score PE Calculator
Clinical probability assessment for pulmonary embolism
Wells Criteria Assessment
📋 Clinical Guidelines
- • Use Wells Score for hemodynamically stable patients with suspected PE
- • Score ≤4: Consider D-dimer testing first
- • Score ≥5: Proceed directly to imaging (CTPA preferred)
- • Always consider clinical context and institutional protocols
Select all criteria that apply to the patient. The Wells Score helps determine the clinical probability of pulmonary embolism and guides diagnostic management.
Wells Score Results
📊 Two-Level Classification (Recommended)
📈 Three-Level Classification (Alternative)
✅ Next Step: D-dimer Testing
Wells Score ≤4 suggests low clinical probability. Measure D-dimer level. If negative, PE is excluded. If positive, proceed to imaging studies.
Clinical Example
Case: 45-year-old Post-Surgical Patient
Presentation: Shortness of breath and chest pain 5 days after hip replacement surgery
Wells Score Assessment:
- • DVT symptoms: No ❌ (0 points)
- • Heart rate >100: Yes ✅ (1.5 points)
- • Recent surgery: Yes ✅ (1.5 points)
- • Previous VTE: No ❌ (0 points)
- • Hemoptysis: No ❌ (0 points)
- • Malignancy: No ❌ (0 points)
- • PE likely: Yes ✅ (3 points)
Wells Score: 6 points (PE Likely - High Risk)
Management: Proceed directly to CTPA imaging
Wells Score Summary
Score 0-4: PE Unlikely
~12% PE probability - D-dimer first
Score ≥5: PE Likely
~50% PE probability - Direct imaging
Wells Criteria
🫁 PE Symptoms
📋 Diagnostic Algorithm
Step 1: Clinical Assessment
Calculate Wells Score for PE probability
Step 2: Score ≤4
Measure D-dimer level
Step 3: Score ≥5
Proceed to CTPA imaging
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational purposes only and should not replace clinical judgment.
Wells Score should be used in conjunction with clinical assessment and institutional protocols.
Always consider the full clinical picture when making diagnostic and treatment decisions.
Understanding the Wells Score
What is the Wells Score?
The Wells Score is a validated clinical decision rule that estimates the probability of pulmonary embolism based on clinical findings and patient characteristics.
Clinical Implementation
- •Developed by Dr. Phil Wells in 2001
- •Bedside assessment tool for PE probability
- •Guides diagnostic strategy (D-dimer vs imaging)
- •Reduces unnecessary testing and radiation exposure
Evidence Base
Original Study (2001)
"Excluding pulmonary embolism at the bedside without diagnostic imaging" - Management strategy using clinical model and D-dimer
Validation Studies
Multiple prospective studies validating the Wells Score in different populations and healthcare settings
Clinical Performance
- • High sensitivity for PE detection
- • Effective risk stratification
- • Reduces unnecessary imaging by ~30%
- • Safe D-dimer exclusion strategy
Important Clinical Considerations
Patient Selection:
- • Use in hemodynamically stable patients
- • Suspected PE based on clinical presentation
- • Not for massive PE or shock patients
- • Consider pregnancy-specific algorithms
Score Interpretation:
- • Two-level classification is preferred
- • Combined with D-dimer for low probability
- • Direct imaging for high probability
- • Always consider clinical context