Editorial
Rationale and evidence base for the peripheral vascular use of drug coated balloons (DCBs)
Posted on : 27 March 2012
Paclitaxel, derived from the Pacific yew, demonstrates a ?class effect? regarding its impact on restenosis, with favourable results for paclitaxel-coated balloons in four randomised trials of ?standard? angioplasty (PTA) versus angioplasty with DCBs and for paclitaxel eluting stents (the Cook Zilver PTX) versus PTA or bare metal stents in the superficial femoral artery. Nevertheless, the efficacy of DCB angioplasty may be dependent on the dose and formulation of the active coating... Read more
A brief history of inferior vena cava filters and analysis of current devices
Posted on : 22 March 2012
It is estimated that 259,000 caval filters will be inserted in 2012. This growth has been driven by rapid evolution of filter design over the last decade. However, the principle of preventing lower limb venous thrombi embolizing to the pulmonary arteries by interrupting blood flow in the inferior vena cava was established in the 19th century... Read more
