Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of baboons during microgravity induced by parabolic flight

The central cardiovascular responses to transient microgravity are not well understood. Theoretically, entrance into microgravity results in the loss of the hydrostatic pressure head and an increase in central venous pressure (CVP) as a consequence of augmented venous return. However, controversy exists regarding the time course and magnitude of cephalad blood volume shifts and its relationship to central atrial filling pressures. On the June 1991 STS 40 shuttle mission, pre-launch echocardiograms suggested changes in cardiac dimensions occurred while the astronauts were in the supine, feet-up position. Furthermore, a CVP line in an astronaut (n=1) demonstrated an unexpected abrupt decrease in CVP during orbital insertion. In April 1991, our laboratory performed Doppler echocardiography in 6 normal human volunteers during parabolic flight. Increases in right ventricular velocities reflecting a central shift of blood volume was demonstrated in subjects examined in the sitting position. However, test subjects examined in the horizontal positions had no significant rise in Doppler velocities. In addition, Latham et al noted variable central cardiovascular responses in chronically instrumented baboons during early microgravity. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a feasible method to noninvasively examine cardiac anatomy during parabolic flight. However, transducer placement on the chest wall is very difficult to maintain during transition to microgravity. In addition, TTE requires the use of low frequency transducers (2.5 MHz) which limits resolution. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an established imaging technique which obtains echocardiographic information from the esophagus. It is a safe procedure and provides higher quality images of cardiac structures than obtained with TTE. Since there are no interposed structures between the esophagus and the heart, higher frequency transducers can be used and resolution is enhanced. With TEE, a flexible transducer tip permits contact with the esophageal mucosa, allowing for consistent imaging. This study was designed to determine whether TEE was feasible to perform during parabolic flight and to determine whether acute central volume responses occur in acute transition to zero gravity (0G) by direct visualization of the cardiac chambers.