PHYSIOLAB: a cardiovascular laboratory

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Space Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cardiovascular deconditioning is a significant concern for astronauts.
• Understanding blood pressure and heart rate regulation is crucial for mitigating spaceflight health risks.
• Existing monitoring systems require enhancement for real-time in-flight use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the fundamental mechanisms of cardiovascular regulation.
• To develop and validate a real-time monitoring system for cosmonauts during functional tests.
• To assess cardiovascular adaptation to microgravity and return to Earth conditions.

Main Methods:

• Development of the PHYSIOLAB system by CNES and IMBP.
• In-flight data collection during the French "Cassiopeia" mission on MIR.
• Pre-, post-, and in-flight scientific program execution.
• Real-time telemetry for monitoring the Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) test.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation and use of PHYSIOLAB on the MIR station.
• Effective real-time monitoring of a cosmonaut during the LBNP test.
• Provided the Moscow Mission Control Center with efficient physiological state monitoring capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The PHYSIOLAB system is effective for real-time cardiovascular monitoring in space.
• The system aids in understanding and managing spaceflight-induced cardiovascular deconditioning.
• Future development is planned for the International Space Station.