INFERIOR VENA-CAVAL FILTERS

Interest in the use inferior vena caval filters has grown consistently during the past 8 years, with 51 articles appearing in the medical li terature during the past year. The development and introduction of sma ller profile devices capable of percutaneous placement has opened the field to interventional radiologists as well as surgeons. The current periodic literature provides a variety of information regarding indica tions for use, adverse events, experimental models, case reports, long -term clinical studies, and information regarding new devices still in the experimental phase. In caring for patients, it is important to co nsider carefully the indications for filter placement, the results of long-term performance studies, and the types of complications that can develop from the underlying disorders as well as the devices. Many of the reports are significant in that they provide new, carefully resea rched information to assist the clinician; some, however, due to poor design or small sample size, merely confuse the issues.