[Reviewing the past and looking to the future]

The first issue of "Investigación Clinica" was published in July, 1960; by the initiative of Dr. Américo Negrette. The journal had a small format (1/16) and was very sober in its presentation. It consisted of about 45 pages, with four articles, that were mainly the product of conferences and seminars. As time went by, 45 years of existence, our journal has evolved following the continuous changes on international regulations; such as the 1/8 format, the impression on acid-free paper and its bibliography in compliance with the Vancouver rules. Currently, Investigaci6n Clinica appears in the best international biomedical indexes and publishes eight original articles on average, in about 100 pages per number. It gets to 106 libraries and health centers in Venezuela and 102 abroad. International peer-review of research articles represents 50% of the current scientific reviews solicited. It is opportune to thank all of those that have collaborated, in such disinterested way, with the journal over the years, and to extend our gratitude to the Editorial and Advisory Boards, the financial supporters, the publishing companies that have worked in its final printing and, of course, to all the researchers that have confided in the responsibility, seriousness and punctuality of Investigaci6n Clinica.