Computational models of cardiovascular function for analysis of post-flight orthostatic intolerance

The work presented in this paper is part of an ongoing effort to use mathematical models to investigate the effects of microgravity on the cardiovascular system. In particular, a thirteen compartment lumped parameter representation of the cardiovascular system is used to simulate some of the current hypotheses concerning the mechanism of post-flight orthostatic intolerance. Simulations are compared to astronaut stand test data pre - and post-flight in an effort to quantitatively evaluate alternative hypotheses.