Clinical tool
Wells DVT
Pre-test probability for deep vein thrombosis.
Score
0/ 9
DVT unlikely
Score < 2. D-dimer is appropriate: a negative result effectively excludes DVT without imaging.
The alternative-diagnosis item subtracts 2 points and is frequently missed — omitting it inflates the score and sends patients to unnecessary imaging. Wells performs less reliably in pregnancy, suspected recurrent DVT in the same leg, and inpatients, where it was not validated. Suspected upper limb DVT is a different entity and this score does not apply.
For practising medics only. Clinical tools support judgement, they do not replace it. Always verify results against current guidelines and the patient in front of you.