Report

This report is primarily aimed at interventional radiologist who place the filters, but it should also be of interest to many other health professionals, especially those who refer patients for IVC filter placement: haematologists, general physicians, general and trauma surgeons.

It is not yet clear whether or not the placement of an IVC filter according to accepted guidelines is effective in the prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism; this is a question that can only be answered by a randomised control trial. However, the report does provide a greatly improved understanding of the potential consequences of caval filter placement, and makes recommendations for improvement in current United Kingdom practice.