The clinical application of inferior vena cava filters: the essential point is to use it appropriately

This paper aims to describe the history and current situation of the clinical application of inferior venal cava (IVC) filters. As there is a possible tendency for physicians to abuse the IVC filters in clinical practice, the authors think that it is necessary now to judge the advantages and disadvantages of the use of IVC filters again and to conscientiously reconsider what kind of patients are suitable for IVC filter implantation. In this article, the proper characteristics that an ideal IVC filter should possess are introduced, the indications for IVC filter implantation are discussed and the complications occurred after IVC filter implantation are analyzed. The authors believe that the retrievable filters will gradually substitute for permanent filters, for this reason, studies concerning IVC retrievable filters will become the hot spots of research in the near future. (authors)