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From the F.H. "Sammy" Ross, Jr Center (Drs Gunter and Sing); and the Department of Surgery, Carolinas Laparoscopic and Advanced Surgery Program (Drs Sing, Rosen, Kercher, and Heniford) at the Carolinas Medical Center–Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, NC.

Address correspondence to Ronald F. Sing, DO, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center–Carolinas HealthCare System, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232–2861. E-mail: ron.sing{at}carolinashealthcare.org

The prophylactic use of vena cava filters (VCFs) remains controversial. Class I data supporting the placement of prophylactic VCFs are lacking. In addition, there are concerns regarding the long-term effects of permanent VCF placement in patients with a relatively brief period of thromboembolic risk. Venous thromboembolism can be a lethal event, occurring without a prodrome. Yet, this condition is potentially preventable. The efficacy of VCFs is difficult to determine, as it is likely that when a VCF actually traps a thrombus, the event is clinically asymptomatic. We present three cases of asymptomatic thrombus trapping in VCFs, recognized through incidental radiographic studies.