Analysis of satisfaction and surgical outcomes of a major ambulatory surgery program for penile implant. / Análisis de satisfacción y resultados quirúrgicos de un programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria para el implante de prótesis de pene.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Penile prosthesis (PP) surgery is performed in many institutions as an inpatient procedure. We have recently initiated a major ambulatory surgery (MAS) program, thus reducing the hospital stay. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, complications and satisfaction of the implantation of outpatient surgery PP program in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study evaluating the results and satisfaction of PP implanted as an outpatient procedure in Bellvitge University Hospital during 2018. RESULTS: During 2018 we implanted 49 PP: 27 (55%) inpatient surgeries vs. 22 (45%) outpatient surgeries. Of these 22, 2 (9%) were second implants. All patients underwent both general anesthesia and crural, proximal dorsal nerve and transversus abdominis plane block (TAP). Complication rates between inpatient and outpatient procedures were similar, 2 (7%) and 1 (5%), respectively, without reporting infections or requiring PP removal. Postoperatively, a satisfaction telephone survey was conducted in 19 (86%) patients: 16 (84%) considered the time of hospital stay as appropriate, 15 (79%) would have preferred to be operated again in an outpatient care setting and 15 (79%) would recommend it. The patients' main concerns were related to being at home with no medical assistance at home and about coming back the next day for drainage removal. All patients reported well-controlled pain without requiring opioid intake in any case. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, PP implantation in an ambulatory care setting is feasible and safe. Although there are some aspects that should be improved, the program showed acceptable satisfaction rates and an adequate postoperative pain control, neither raising the administration of opioids, nor increasing complications and re-admission rates.

Comparative analysis of penile implants in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction versus postradical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction.

Penile prosthesis is the treatment of choice for erectile dysfunction (ED) refractory to medical treatment; vasculogenic ED and ED postradical prostatectomy (PRP) are the main aetiologies. Few studies have compared surgical outcomes of penile prosthesis placement for vasculogenic versus PRP severe erectile dysfunction. This study includes 117 cases corresponding to virgin implants for ED of either vasculogenic aetiology or PRP (58 for PRP and 59 for vasculogenic cases). We analysed data corresponding to: age, comorbidity, type of prosthesis, presence of fibrosis that hinders dilation, need for modelling, size of implanted cylinders and complications (intra and postoperative). In the results the rate of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and ischemic heart disease was higher in vasculogenic ED. All of the prostheses were hydraulic; 24.1% of two components and 75.9% of three in the PRP group; 39% components of two and 61% of three in the vasculogenic group. With regard to the presence of cavernous fibrosis and need for modelling, no significant differences were found. However, significant differences were observed in the size of the implanted cylinders; PRP of 18.30 ± 2.11 cm versus 19.21 ± 1.71 cm in vasculogenic ED (p = 0.01643). There were no significant differences between the groups in infection rates, mechanical failure or extrusion. In conclusion the implantation of penile prosthesis in ED after PRP is associated with a shorter cylinder length compared with vasculogenic origin. Although there was a certain non-significant tendency to the need for modelling manoeuvres in PRP, there were no significant differences in postoperative outcomes including infection or mechanical failure.

Developing classification criteria for skin-predominant dermatomyositis: the Delphi process.

BACKGROUND: The European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for inflammatory myopathies are able to classify patients with skin-predominant dermatomyositis (DM). However, approximately 25% of patients with skin-predominant DM do not meet two of the three hallmark skin signs and fail to meet the criteria. OBJECTIVES: To develop a set of skin-focused classification criteria that will distinguish cutaneous DM from mimickers and allow a more inclusive definition of skin-predominant disease. METHODS: An extensive literature review was done to generate items for the Delphi process. Items were grouped into categories of distribution, morphology, symptoms, antibodies, histology and contextual factors. Using REDCap™, participants rated these items in terms of appropriateness and distinguishing ability from mimickers. The relevance score ranged from 1 to 100, and the median score determined a rank-ordered list. A prespecified median score cut-off was decided by the steering committee and the participants. There was a pre-Delphi and two rounds of actual Delphi. RESULTS: There were 50 participating dermatologists and rheumatologists from North America, South America, Europe and Asia. After a cut-off score of 70 during the first round, 37 of the initial 54 items were retained and carried over to the next round. The cut-off was raised to 80 during round two and a list of 25 items was generated. CONCLUSIONS: This project is a key step in the development of prospectively validated classification criteria that will create a more inclusive population of patients with DM for clinical research. What's already known about this topic? Proper classification of patients with skin-predominant dermatomyositis (DM) is indispensable in the appropriate conduct of clinical/translational research in the field. The only validated European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology criteria for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are able to classify skin-predominant DM. However, a quarter of amyopathic patients still fail the criteria and does not meet the disease classification. What does this study add? A list of 25 potential criteria divided into categories of distribution, morphology, symptomatology, pathology and contextual factors has been generated after several rounds of consensus exercise among experts in the field of DM. This Delphi project is a prerequisite to the development of a validated classification criteria set for skin-predominant DM.

Evaluating important change in cutaneous disease activity as an efficacy measure for clinical trials in dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND: Patients may experience improved quality of life (QoL) without complete clearance of skin disease. The Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index Activity (CDASI-A) score correlates with the Symptoms and Emotions subscales of Skindex-29, a measure of QoL, down to CDASI-A scores of 7 points (for Symptoms) and 10 points (for Emotions). OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to define an important change in disease activity, as measured by the CDASI-A, that results in a meaningful change in QoL in patients with dermatomyositis. METHODS: In 103 patients, we assessed the percentage change and actual change in CDASI-A scores needed to achieve a meaningful improvement in QoL, using linear regression models. RESULTS: We found that meaningful improvement correlates with 7·86 points (P < 0·001) in Symptoms, and 10·29 points (P < 0·001) in Emotions, after correlating Skindex-29 to an established definition of meaningful change in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). For patients with initial CDASI-A scores > 14 points, a 40% change in CDASI-A between the first two visits suggests a meaningful change in Skindex-29. In patients with moderate initial CDASI-A (15-26 points), the changes in CDASI-A resulting in meaningful changes in Symptoms and Emotions were 6 points (P < 0·001) and 7 points (P < 0·001), respectively. For initial CDASI-A scores in the severe range (27-35 points), an improvement in CDASI-A by 11 points (P = 0·030) and 9 points (P = 0·021) leads to a meaningful change in Symptoms and Emotions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an initial CDASI-A score > 14 points, a 40% change in the CDASI-A score can be used to indicate a meaningful change in QoL in future dermatomyositis trials. What's already known about this topic? The Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI) is a validated disease assessment tool used to capture the extent of cutaneous activity and damage. The Skindex-29 and Dermatology Life Quality Index are standardized and validated measures of quality of life (QoL) for clinical trials and correlate with CDASI Activity (CDASI-A) scores. What does this study add? We identified what change in Skindex-29 scores over two consecutive visits would indicate an important change (a minimal clinically important difference) in QoL. We determined which change in CDASI-A scores over two consecutive visits would lead to a meaningful change in QoL. For patients with an initial CDASI-A score > 14 points, a 40% change in the CDASI-A score over two visits is associated with a meaningful change in QoL. What are the clinical implications of this work? Clinical trials can consider using a 40% change in the CDASI-A score as an end point when assessing the clinical efficacy of drugs.

Evaluation of the reliability and validity of the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) in paediatric cutaneous lupus among paediatric dermatologists and rheumatologists.

BACKGROUND: The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) is a reliable outcome measure for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in adults used in clinical trials. However, it has not been validated in children, limiting clinical trials for paediatric CLE. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to validate the CLASI in paediatrics. METHODS: Eleven paediatric patients with CLE, six dermatologists and six rheumatologists participated. The physicians were trained to use the CLASI and Physician's Global Assessment (PGA), and individually rated all patients using both tools. Each physician reassessed two randomly selected patients. Within each physician group, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess the reliability of each measure. RESULTS: CLASI activity scores demonstrated excellent inter- and intrarater reliability (ICC > 0·90), while the PGA activity scores had good inter-rater reliability (ICC 0·73-0·77) among both specialties. PGA activity scores showed excellent (ICC 0·89) and good intrarater reliability (ICC 0·76) for dermatologists and rheumatologists, respectively. Limitations of this study include the small sample size of patients and potential recall bias during the physician rerating session. CONCLUSIONS: CLASI activity measurement showed excellent inter- and intrarater reliability in paediatric CLE and superiority over the PGA. These results demonstrate that the CLASI is a reliable and valid outcome instrument for paediatric CLE.

The diagnosis and classification of amyopathic dermatomyositis: a historical review and assessment of existing criteria.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic criteria are used to identify a patient having a disease in a clinical setting, whereas classification criteria create a well-defined population for research purposes. The diagnosis and classification of amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) have not been recognized by most existing criteria for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). To address this, several criteria were proposed to define ADM either as a distinct disease entity or as a subset of the spectrum of IIMs. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the diagnosis and classification of ADM and to assesses the available criteria in identifying cases of ADM and/or distinguishing it from dermatological mimickers such as lupus erythematosus. METHODS: We conducted an extensive literature search using the PubMed database from June 2016 to August 2018, using the search terms 'amyopathic dermatomyositis', 'diagnosis' and 'classification'. RESULTS: The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, which are the only validated classification criteria for adult and juvenile IIM and their major subgroups, include three cutaneous items (Göttron sign, Göttron papules, heliotrope rash) to be able to classify ADM. This international and multispecialty effort is a huge step forward in the classification of skin-predominant disease in dermatomyositis. However, about 25% of the population with ADM do not meet two out of the three skin features and are misdiagnosed or classified as having a different disease entity, most commonly lupus erythematosus. CONCLUSIONS: These gaps rationalize the continuous assessment and improvement of existing criteria and/or the development of validated, separate and skin-focused criteria for DM.

Nefrolitotomía percutánea bilateral simultánea: Eficacia y seguridad" / Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Effectiveness and safety

Objetivos: Evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de la nefrolitotomía percutánea bilateral simultánea realizada en pacientes afectados de litiasis renales bilaterales. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, período de septiembre de 2012 a noviembre de 2016. Se incluyeron pacientes diagnosticados de litiasis renales bilaterales por TC abdominal. Técnica quirúrgica posición en prono, punción renal guiada por fluoroscopia y dilatación del tracto hasta 24Ch. Se revisaron las características demográficas y de las litiasis, la tasa libre de litiasis, el éxito clínico, las complicaciones y el seguimiento. Resultados: Durante el período de estudio, se realizaron 732 nefrolitotomías percutáneas. Dieciocho pacientes (36 unidades renales; 2,5%), 13 hombres y 5 mujeres con una mediana de edad de 58 años y un rango intercuartílico (RIC) de 40-66. Tamaño de la litiasis mediana de 228 mm2 (RIC 134-389), tiempo operativo mediana de 150 min (RIC 97-180) y una estancia hospitalaria mediana de 5 días (RIC 5-15). La tasa libre de litiasis fue del 80%. Se reportaron litiasis residuales en 8 unidades renales (22,2%) que requirieron técnicas complementarias para su completa resolución, 4 litotricias extracorpóreas por ondas de choque, una ureterolitotomía por laparotomía, 2 ureteroscopias y un segundo procedimiento. Complicaciones mayores incluyeron 4 hemorragias manejadas mediante embolización por angiografía. Mediana de seguimiento 36 meses (rango 26-46). Conclusiones: La nefrolitotomía percutánea bilateral simultánea es un procedimiento eficaz y seguro en pacientes afectados con cálculos renales bilaterales. Es un desafío quirúrgico que debe realizarse en pacientes seleccionados y en centros con experiencia

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed in patients affected with bilateral renal calculi. Materials and methods: This is a prospective study from September 2012 to November 2016. Patients diagnosed of bilateral kidney stones with abdominal CT scan were included. Surgical technique prone position, renal puncture guided by fluoroscopy and tract dilation up to 24Ch. We reviewed demographic and stone characteristics, stone free rate, clinical success, complications and follow-up. Results: During the study period, 732 percutaneous nephrolithotomies were performed. Eighteen patients were included (36 renal units, 2.5%), 13 men and 5 women, with a median age of 58 years and an interquartile range (IQR) of 40-66. Median stone burden was 22 8mm2 (IQR 134-389); median operative time, 150 minutes (IQR 97-180); and median hospital stay, 5 days (IQR 5-15). Stone free rate was 80%. Residual calculi were encountered in 8 renal units (22.2%) and required other complementary techniques for their complete tesolution 4 external shockwave lithotripsies, one open ureterolithotomy, 2 ureteroscopies and one second look. Major complications included 4 cases of severe hemorrhage managed with angiographic embolization. The median follow-up was 36 months (range 26-46). Conclusions: Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an effective and safe procedure in patients affected with bilateral renal calculi. It is a surgical challenge that should be performed in selected patients and in centers with experience

Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Effectiveness and safety. / Nefrolitotomía percutánea bilateral simultánea: Eficacia y seguridad".

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed in patients affected with bilateral renal calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study from September 2012 to November 2016. Patients diagnosed of bilateral kidney stones with abdominal CT scan were included. Surgical technique prone position, renal puncture guided by fluoroscopy and tract dilation up to 24Ch. We reviewed demographic and stone characteristics, stone free rate, clinical success, complications and follow-up. RESULTS: During the study period, 732 percutaneous nephrolithotomies were performed. Eighteen patients were included (36 renal units, 2.5%), 13 men and 5 women, with a median age of 58 years and an interquartile range (IQR) of 40-66. Median stone burden was 228mm2 (IQR 134-389); median operative time, 150minutes (IQR 97-180); and median hospital stay, 5 days (IQR 5-15). Stone free rate was 80%. Residual calculi were encountered in 8 renal units (22.2%) and required other complementary techniques for their complete tesolution 4 external shockwave lithotripsies, one open ureterolithotomy, 2 ureteroscopies and one second look. Major complications included 4 cases of severe hemorrhage managed with angiographic embolization. The median follow-up was 36 months (range 26-46). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an effective and safe procedure in patients affected with bilateral renal calculi. It is a surgical challenge that should be performed in selected patients and in centers with experience.

Descompresión y fusión mínimamente invasiva de la columna lumbar / Minimally invasive decompression and fusion of the lumbar spine

La descompresión y fusión de la columna lumbar puede realizarse con técnicas mínimamente invasivas. Estas implican el uso de pequeñas portales de acceso a través de la piel y el músculo que hacen posible la visión directa de la anatomía, permitiendo descomprimir estructuras nerviosas, corregir alineamiento y fusionar segmentos de la columna lumbar. Con el desarrollo de técnicas mínimamente invasivas se espera obtener una mejor evolución postoperatoria inmediata y a largo plazo, mediante un menor trauma sobre la musculatura paravertebral.

The surgical decompression and fusion of the lumbar spine can be achieved by minimally invasive techniques. These techniques use reduced approaches through the skin and muscles to allow surgeons, an excellent view of anatomy to decompress neural elements, correct alignment and fuse the lumbar spine. The goal of minimally invasive spine surgery is to permit a better short and long outcomes by reduce the trauma on lumbar musculature.

Estudio del flujo del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) con cine resonancia magnética (CINE RM) / Cerebrospinal fluid flow Study (LCR) with Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CINE RM)

En el presente trabajo se analiza la experiencia preliminar en la Clínica Las Condes, referida a 69 pacientes. En su indicación predominó la evaluación del tipo de circulación de LCR en quistes aracnoidales, hidrocefalia y malformación de Chiari I con o sin siringomielia. Fue extremadamente útil en los quistes aracnoidales, siendo no comunicantes diez y comunicantes cuatro. En hidrocefalia, ayudó al diagnóstico gracias al flujo hiperdinámico de los ventrículos laterales, producido en esta patología. En la malformación de Chiari I ilustró en forma elegante el efecto pistón, su correción por la descompresiva occipitocervical y la duroplastía de expansión con aponeurosis de pericráneo. Demostró una gran utilidad en el control de funcionalidad de las tercerventrículocisternostomías.

Fractura del olécranon por cizallamiento / Fracture of olecranon in children: a case report

Pese a que las fracturas metafisarias del olécranon son relativamente raras, cuando se presentan lesiones complejas que involucran mecanismos de cizallamiento es necesario considerar la posibilidad de reducción abierta. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 5 años con luxo-fractura de codo, con un aparente deslizamiento epifisario Tipo I de Salter de la cúpula radial

Evaluación del tratamiento de fracturas cerradas de la diáfisis de la tibia con clavos intramedulares fresados y no fresados / Evaluation of the treatment of open and closed fractures of the tibial shaft

Objetivos: Comparar el resultado clínico y radiológico de las fracturas cerradas de la tibia a dos esquemas de manejo quirúrgico: clavos intramedulares fresados y clavos intramedulares no fresados. Métodos: Pacientes que ingresaron al servicio de urgencias entre el 1 de enero de 1998 y el 31 de diciembre de 1999 fueron aleatorizados a dos tratamientos, clavos intramedulares fresados y clavos intramedulares no fresados. Los pacientes fueron seguidos durante dos oportunidades en el primer mes después de la cirugía y al menos en nueve oportunidades cada mes. El seguimiento consistió en la evaluación clínica del dolor, movilidad articular de la rodilla y tobillo y del grado de apoyo del miembro inferior, además del seguimiento radiológico mensual en la búsqueda de la aparición de callo óseo, remodelación y consolidación total de la fractura. Análisis de sobrevida de Kaplan Meyer, fueron realizados para comparar la respuesta en cada uno de los grupos. Resultados: Un total de 104 pacientes fueron seguidos. Solo tres pérdidas se presentaron durante el seguimiento. Los dos grupos de pacientes fueron similares en las características al ingreso. Los resultados clínicos muestran que los pacientes que recibieron los clavos fresados apoyaron el miembro inferior más temprano, promedio 130 días, que los que recibieron los no fresados, promedio 141 días (p=0,02). No se encontraron diferencias en la incidencia de dolor y en el tiempo hasta la recuperación total de la movilidad articular de la rodilla y el tobillo. La proporción de pacientes que consolidan la fractura fue significativamente mayor para el grupo que recibió el clavo fresado después del 5 mes. La aparición de callo óseo se presentó mas temprano en el grupo fresado, pero las diferencias no fueron significativas después del segundo mes de seguimiento. Las complicaciones tardías se presentaron con mas frecuencia en el grupo no fresado pero las diferencias no fueron significativas

Eficacia terapéutica del Nimesulide en el tratamiento de la dorso lumbalgia de origen traumático / Therapeutic effectiveness of the nimesulide in the treatment of the low back pain of traumatic origin

Se realizó un estudio abierto, no controlado, multicéntrico, realizado con intención de tratar, en 60 pacientes con dorsolumbalgia mecánica, en el cual evaluó la efectividad y seguridad de nimesulide 100 mg dos veces al día, administrado durante 15 días. El tratamiento produjo un alivio significativo en los escores de dolor entre el día de inicio del tratamiento y los 5 días, con un alivio adicional importante entre los días 5 y 10, sin alivios adicionales para el día 15. El tiempo medio para la desaparición total del dolor fue de 8,5 días. La limitación funcional fue evaluada el día 0 y el día 15, obteniéndose una mejoría significativa desde el punto de vista estadístico. Se reportaron efectos adversos en 4 de los pacientes, de los cuales sólo uno ameritó la suspensión del tratamiento

[Prediction of violent behavior in schizophrenic inpatients]. / Factores predictores de agresividad en esquizofrénicos hospitalizados.

BACKGROUND: Some studies point up the frequent aggressiveness showed by the schizophrenic in-patients. The aim of this research is to know some possible predictors factors of this violence, in order to prevent it. METHOD: A two-year long retrospective study was carried out on acts of physical violence committed by schizophrenic in-patients in a General Hospital. This group was compared with a non-aggressive control group. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (29) patients committed ninety (90) acts of assault. The predictive value for violence has been evaluated using twelve variables (court orders, clinical diagnosis, past history of violence, sex, age, married, single, employment status, profession, cohabitation, previous hospitalizations and recent hospitalization) through Discriminative Analysis of the aggressive group and another control of seventy-two (72) non-aggressive schizophrenic patients. Four significant variables turned out to be predictive of violent behaviour: being clinically diagnosed as residual, having a past history of violence, being unemployed and living alone. CONCLUSIONS: The fact of being diagnosed as residual schizophrenia is always predictive of very aggressive behaviour. Using these four variables, a classification tree for violence prediction in schizophrenic in-patients has been established.

Factores predictores de agresividad en esquizofrénicos hospitalizados / Prediction of violent behaviour in schizophrenic inpatients

Introducción: Diferentes estudios destacan la frecuente agresividad que presentan los pacientes esquizofrénicos hospitalizados. El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer factores predictores de esta violencia, para mejorar su prevención. Metodología: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de dos años de duración de los actos de heteroagresividad física cometidos por pacientes esquizofrénicos, ingresados en una Unidad Hospitalaria Psiquiátrica, comparado con un grupo control no agresivo. Resultados: 29 pacientes cometieron 90 actos agresivos. Se evalúa el valor predictivo de agresividad de 12 variables (autorización judicial, tipo clínico, presencia de agresividad previa, sexo, edad, casado, soltero, actividad laboral, convivencia, ingresos anteriores y hospitalización reciente) mediante análisis discriminante del grupo agresivo y de otro control de 72 esquizofrénicos no agresivos. Resultan cuatro variables significativas predictoras de agresividad: tipo clínico residual, presencia de agresividad previa, inexistencia de actividad laboral y vivir solo. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico residual predice siempre el ser muy agresivo. Con las cuatro variables predictoras, se construye un árbol de clasificación pronóstico de agresividad en esquizofrénicos hospitalizados. (AU)

Assertiveness predicts threat and challenge reactions to potential stress among women.

In this study assertiveness as a moderator of stress reactions among women was examined. Specifically, the experimenters examined how high and low assertive women cognitively appraised, affectively and physiologically responded to, and behaviorally coped with the stress of giving an impromptu speech. High assertive women appraised the speech stressor as challenging, whereas low assertive women appraised the stressor as threatening. High assertive women also had a challenge pattern of autonomic response during the task, compared with the threat response of low assertive women. Afterward, the high assertive women reported experiencing less stress and negative emotion and greater positive emotion than did the low assertive women. Overall, the high assertive women's stress-related reactions indicated challenge, whereas the low assertive women's reactions indicated threat (see J. Tomaka, J. Blascovich, R. M. Kelsey, & C. L. Leitten, 1993).

[The appearance of giant negative T waves in anterior acute myocardial infarct with a Q wave is associated with minor myocardial damage and a minor extension of coronary disease]. / La aparición de ondas T negativas gigantes en un infarto agudo de miocardio anterior con onda Q se asocia a un menor daño miocárdico y una menor extensión de la enfermedad coronaria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The early inversion of T waves in patients with acute myocardial infarction has recently been related to a better left ventricular function and a more favourable evolution, contrary to what happens in the unstable angina. On the other hand, the significance of the appearance of deep negative T waves in the early phase of some acute myocardial infarction is not known. The aim of this study is to evaluate its relation with the existing myocardial damage and the underlying coronary artery disease extension in anterior some with Q wave. METHODS: 48 patients with a first anterior Q-wave acute myocardial infarction, thrombolized or not, admitted to hospital with an evolution of less than 24 hours, and with a coronariography performed before discharge were analyzed. Giant negative T waves were defined as those which were 8 mm or more from baseline. RESULTS: 17 of the 48 patients presented giant negative T waves (T-group) and 31 did not (N-group). In the T-group patients, the size of the negative T wave was 11.29 +/- 2.86 mm and the number of precordial leads with negative T waves was 4.35 +/- 1.57. There were no differences between both groups in variables such as sex, coronary risk factors, and other basal characteristics. The T-group patients were younger, had lower peak-CK, CK-MB and LDH levels and presented greater recovery of R waves during the follow-up, the differences being significant with the N-group patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction was higher (56.3 +/- 13.4 vs 42 +/- 12%; p < 0.001) and the number of affected coronary vessels was lower in the T-group (1.12 vs 1.64; p < 0.01); there were no differences in the localization or severity of coronary lesions, nor in the frequency of postinfarction myocardial angina. None of the patients in the T-group were Killip > I, while this situation occurred in 38.7% of the N-group patients. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of giant negative T waves in the acute or early phase of Q-wave anterior acute myocardial infarction is associated with a smaller infarct size, lower functional deterioration and less extension of the underlying coronary disease.