Role of Optional (Retrievable) IVC Filters in Surgical Patients at Risk for Venous Thromboembolic Disease

*Department of Surgery, The George Washington University, Washington, DC †Department of Radiology, Interventional Radiology Division, The George Washington University, Washington, DC. *Correspondence address: Anthony Venbrux, MD, George Washington University Medical Center, 900 23rd St, NW, Ste G2092, Washington, DC 20037. 1Dr Sarani's current address is Department of Surgery, Division of Traumatology and Surgical Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3335. 2Dr Chun's current address is Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Angiography and Interventional Radiology, 75 Francis St, Ste SR-343, Boston, MA 02115. Received February 22, 2005; Revised July 25, 2005; Accepted July 26, 2005. Competing Interests Declared: None by Drs Babak Sarani and Albert Chun. Anthony Venbrux has received prior honoraria for lectures from Bard Peripheral Vascular, Cook, Inc, and Cordis Endovascular.