Investigation of cerebral venous outflowin microgravity
Taibi A ; Gadda G ; Gambaccini M ; et al. ; - ASI Sponsor
Oct - 2017
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/aa8980

journal : Physiological Measurement

Volume : 38 ; Issue : 11
type: Article Journal

Abstract
Objective: The gravitational gradient is the major component to face when considering the physiology of venous return, and there is a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms ensuring the heart filling, in the absence of gravity, for astronauts who perform long-term space missions. Approach: The purpose of the Drain Brain project was to monitor the cerebral venous outflow of a crew member during an experiment on the International Space Station (ISS), so as to study the compensatory mechanisms that facilitate this essential physiological action in subjects living in a microgravity environment. Such venous function has been characterized by means of a novel application of strain-gauge plethysmography which uses a capacitive sensor. Main results: In this contribution, preliminary results of our investigation have been presented. In particular, comparison of plethysmography data confirmed that long duration spaceflights lead to a redistribution of venous blood volume, and showed interesting differences in the amplitude of cardiac oscillations measured at the level of the neck veins. Significance: The success of the experiment has also demonstrated that thanks to its easy portability, non-invasiveness, and non-operator dependence, the proposed device can be considered as a novel tool for use aboard the ISS. Further trials are now under way to complete the investigation on the drainage function of the neck veins in microgravity.

keywords : strain-gauge plethysmography, microgravity, venous return, space mission, brain drainage

Notes : AcknowledgmentsThe project has been funded by the Italian Space Agency, ASI contract no. 2013-062-I.0 [...]