Patients with inferior vena caval filters should receive chronic thromboprophylaxis.

A 32-year-old man with testicular carcinoma is diagnosed with an acute left leg deep venous thrombosis (DVT) during his fourth cycle of combination chemotherapy. Because of anticipated moderate to severe thrombocytopenia, anticoagulation is initially avoided and an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is placed to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE). After completion of all chemotherapy he is deemed to be in remission and anticoagulation is begun. The optimal duration of anticoagulation in this patient is pondered.