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Three-dimensional ballistocardiography and respiratory motion in sustained microgravity
G K Prisk1, S Verhaeghe, D Padeken
1Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093-0931, USA. kprisk@ucsd.edu
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Three-dimensional ballistocardiogram (BCG) measurements in microgravity reveal cardiac activity is most pronounced head-to-foot. Respiratory motion significantly impacts BCG amplitude, suggesting potential for non-invasive cardiac monitoring in space.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Aerospace Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Investigating non-invasive cardiac monitoring methods in microgravity is crucial for astronaut health.
- The study aimed to assess the utility of three-dimensional ballistocardiogram (BCG) in space.
- Examining the influence of respiratory movements on BCG signals in microgravity.
Observation:
- Three-dimensional BCG and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded from a free-floating subject.
- Acceleration data were collected using a three-axis accelerometer during a 146-second inactive period.
- Simultaneous impedance plethysmography captured respiratory motion.
Findings:
- Respiratory motion generated total body accelerations consistent with diaphragmatic action and momentum conservation.
- Cardiac activity, averaged over the R-R interval, showed maximum acceleration along the head-to-foot axis.
- BCG amplitude was significantly reduced (50-70%) between end-inspiration and end-expiration due to lung volume changes.
Implications:
- Reduced cardiac motion transmission at functional residual capacity (FRC) suggests altered mechanics in microgravity.
- The BCG shows promise as a non-invasive tool for monitoring stroke volume and other cardiac parameters in spaceflight.
- Further development of BCG could enhance remote health monitoring for astronauts.
