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01-07-2015 | Original Article

Short-arm human centrifugation with 0.4g at eye and 0.75g at heart level provides similar cerebrovascular and cardiovascular responses to standing

Authors: Nandu Goswami, Michelle Bruner, Da Xu, Marie-Pierre Bareille, Arnaud Beck, Helmut Hinghofer-Szalkay, Andrew P. Blaber

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 7/2015

Abstract

Background and purpose

Orthostatic intolerance continues to be a problem with astronauts upon return to Earth as a result of cerebral and cardiovascular adaptations to weightlessness. We tested the hypothesis that artificial gravity from a short-arm human centrifuge (SAHC) could provide cerebral and cardiovascular stimuli similar to upright posture and thereby serve as a suitable countermeasure.

Methods

We compared cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses before, during, and after exposure to hyper-G with that of standing in healthy young participants. The head was positioned such that the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was 0.46 m from the center of rotation. Two levels of hyper-G that provided 1g and 2g at foot level were investigated. Continuous blood pressure, heart rate, calf blood volume, MCA mean blood flow velocity (MFV) and end-tidal CO₂ were measured.

Results

Blood pressure at the level of the MCA (BP-MCA) and MFV was reduced during stand and at 2g. The relationship between MFV and BP-MCA at 2g was different from supine and similar to standing, while 1g centrifugation was not different from supine. The cardiovascular system was also not different from supine at 1g but was similarly challenged in 2g compared to stand.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that short-arm centrifugation 2g at the feet, with the head offset 0.5 m from the center, provides similar cardiovascular and cerebral responses to standing. This supports the hypothesis that passive 2g SAHC exposure at the feet could be used as a countermeasure for in-flight cardiovascular and cerebrovascular deconditioning.

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Title: Short-arm human centrifugation with 0.4g at eye and 0.75g at heart level provides similar cerebrovascular and cardiovascular responses to standing
Authors: Nandu Goswami
Michelle Bruner
Da Xu
Marie-Pierre Bareille
Arnaud Beck
Helmut Hinghofer-Szalkay
Andrew P. Blaber
Publication date: 01-07-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3142-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Short-arm human centrifugation with 0.4g at eye and 0.75g at heart level provides similar cerebrovascular and cardiovascular responses to standing

Abstract

Background and purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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