Air plethysmography: an alternative method for assessing peripheral circulatory adaptations during spaceflights.

A new approach to the study of peripheral vascular hemodynamics in microgravity was initiated by designing an alternative methodology: air plethysmography (AP). This is the only technique that enables the quantification of vascular hemodynamics from gross measurements performed on the limbs. This paper reports a description of the device and of the measurement protocol. A comparative study showed that AP yields results that are well correlated, although not in agreement, with those obtained by means of the reference method in the laboratory (mercury strain gauge plethysmography, MSGP; for venous capacity, correlation coefficient r = 0.8, P < 0.0001, limits of agreement--0.9 ml.100 ml-1 and 1.4 ml.100 ml-1; for arterial flow index, correlation coefficient r = 0.7, P < 0.0006, limits of agreements -20.4 ml.min-1 and 37.2 ml.min-1; for half-emptying time, correlation coefficient r = 0.9, P < 0.0001, limits of agreement -0.88 s and 0.77 s), and that are characterized by good reproducibility (coefficient of variation in general lower than 12%). Preliminary findings during spaceflight, on board the Mir Space Station, yielded data that is expected to improve our knowledge of vascular deconditioning in conditions of weightlessness.

Changes in leg vein filling and emptying characteristics and leg volumes during long-term head-down bed rest.

Leg venous hemodynamics [venous distensibility index (VDI), arterial flow index (AFI), half-emptying time (T1/2)], and leg volumes (LV) were assessed by mercury strain-gauge plethysmography with venous occlusion and volometry, respectively, in seven men before, during, and after 42 days of 6 degrees head-down bed rest. Results showed a high increase in VDI up to day 26 of bed rest (+50% vs. control at day 26, P < 0.05), which tended to subside thereafter (+20% increase vs. control value at day 41, P < 0.05). VDI changes were associated with parallel changes in T1/2 (+54% vs. control at day 26 of bed rest, P < 0.05, and +25% vs. control at day 41, P < 0.05) and with a decrease in AFI (-49% at day 41 vs. P < 0.05). LV continuously decreased throughout bed rest (-13% vs. control at day 41, P < 0.05) but was correlated with VDI only during the first month of bed rest. These results show that during long-term 6 degrees head-down bed rest alterations of leg venous compliance are associated with impairment of venous emptying capacities and arterial flow. Changes in skeletal muscle mass and fluid shifts may account for venous changes during the first month of bed rest but, subsequently, other physiological factors, to be determined, may also be involved in leg venous hemodynamic alterations.

[Vascular deconditioning (correction of deconditionring) in microgravity: results obtained in the french spationaut during the spatial mission EO 22]. / Deconditionnement vasculaire en microgravite: resultats obtenus sur la spationaute francaise au cours de la mission spatiale EO 22.

First results on changes in vascular physiology in the first french spationaut during the French-russian spatial mission CASSIOPEE are reported in this paper. The data, obtained by Air Plethysmography during flight, evidence at the level of lower limbs alterations of venous filling and emptying characteristics (the latter particularly depending on the muscular pump function of the calf) and of capillary circulation.

Plethysmography with optoelectronic sensors: comparison with mercury strain gauge plethysmography.

The study and follow-up of certain physiological adaptations in microgravity, particularly vascular and venous ones, require the use of reliable equipment that yields results well correlated with data provided by equipment usually used in clinical examinations. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of results obtained using a new type of plethysmography, plethysmography with optoelectronic sensors or volometry, and to verify whether these results correlate with those yielded by mercury strain gauge plethysmography. The plethysmograph is a device which permits measuring limb volume by means of an infra-red light transmitter-receiver system that calculates cross-sectional areas at 220 successive points of a given limb segment. Calf venous capacity (calf volume measured after 50 mm Hg venous occlusion in the thigh) was measured on 27 subjects using volometry and mercury strain gauge plethysmography used as reference method. Results showed a good correlation (r = 0.8, p < 0.001) and a statistically identical reproducibility between the two methods even though venous capacity measurements obtained using these two techniques were not superimposable because they did not use the same model for limb volume measurements. Volometry therefore appears to be a technique of interest for the future, to monitor vascular and muscular physiological parameters in astronauts during long-term microgravity exposure.

Leg venous hemodynamics and leg volumes during a 42 day -6 degrees head-down bedrest.

Seven healthy subjects were submitted to a 42-day head down bedrest, where leg venous compliance (venous distensibility index VDI) and leg volumes were assessed by mercury strain gauge plethysmography with venous occlusion and optoelectronic plethysmography, respectively. Plethysmographic and volometric measurements were made, before, during (at days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 26, 34 and 41), and after bedrest (days 1, 4, 7, 11 and 30 of the recovery period). Results showed a continuous decrease in leg volumes throughout bedrest, when VDI increased until day 26 of bedrest, and then decreased afterwards. The recovery period was characterized by a rapid return of VDI to prebedrest levels while leg volumes progressively normalised. These results showed that leg venous compliance changes are not always dependent upon skeletal muscle changes, and that factors other than size of muscle compartment are able to determine increases in leg venous compliance during long-term bedrest.

Venous distensibility and venous emptying in the legs during a 42-day -6 degrees head-down bedrest.

Exposure to actual or simulated microgravity is known to result in changes in lower limb venous compliance or distensibility which may play a role in post-bedrest or postflight orthostatic intolerance. Venous deconditioning has only been described in terms of changes in vascular compliance or distensibility. But a complete understanding of changes in venous hemodynamics and cardiovascular regulation occurring under these conditions has to take into account changes in emptying capacities of the veins which influence venous return, cardiac filling, and cardiac output regulation. Moreover, few data are available about the course of changes in venous hemodynamics for periods of simulated microgravity longer than 4 weeks. The purpose of this investigation was to measure parameters of venous compliance and venous emptying before, during, and after a 42-day period of bedrest at -6 degrees head-down tilt for a better understanding of long term venous physiological adaptation to microgravity.