title: Retrievable vena cava filters: clinical experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize currently available literature regarding indications for inferior vena cava filters, potential problems associated with the different filters available, and the efficacy and safety of retrievable inferior vena cava filters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The placement of permanent filters may present a number of long-term complications such as filter occlusion and an increased risk of recurrent deep vein thrombosis. Furthermore, patients who require inferior vena cava interruption often have short-term contraindications to anticoagulant therapy, and thus only require filters for temporary indications. Four different retrievable filters have recently received approval for temporary insertion, and preliminary data suggest that the use of these filters is associated with a low rate of pulmonary embolism and complications related to filter insertion. Retrieval was uneventful in almost all patients. No randomized clinical trials have yet been performed, and available information is based on the results of either retrospective or prospective cohort studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrievable filters are a very attractive alternative to either permanent or temporary filters when inferior vena cava interruption becomes necessary, thanks to the advantages of very easy management and the possibility of their being left in place for a long time and removed when they become unnecessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dentali
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ageno
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Imberti
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*