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.