Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
14:09
Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance
Published on: March 21, 2013
Compression garments as countermeasures to orthostatic intolerance
Steven H Platts1, Jennifer A Tuxhorn, L Christine Ribeiro
1NASA Johnson Space Center, Human Adaptations and Countermeasures Division, Houston, TX 77058, USA. steven.platts-1@nasa.gov
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|May 22, 2009
Summary
Both inflatable antigravity suits (AGS) and Kentavr compression garments effectively prevent orthostatic intolerance in astronauts. The Kentavr garment achieved this protection using lower compression levels, enhancing crew comfort and activity post-flight.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Human physiology
- Aerospace engineering
Background:
- Astronauts commonly experience orthostatic intolerance after spaceflight.
- This condition includes symptoms like tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and syncope.
- Hypovolemia, or reduced plasma volume, is a primary cause of this intolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of two compression garments in preventing hypovolemia-related orthostatic intolerance.
- The garments tested were the inflatable antigravity suit (AGS) and the Kentavr compression garment.
- Comparison was made between the two garments and a control group.
Main Methods:
- 19 healthy subjects underwent simulated spaceflight hypovolemia using a diuretic and low-salt diet.
- Subjects performed a 15-minute, 80-degree head-up tilt test.
- Participants wore either the AGS (approx. 78 mmHg) or Kentavr (approx. 30 mmHg) garment, with outcomes compared to 16 hypovolemic controls.
Main Results:
- All subjects wearing either the AGS or Kentavr completed the tilt test without presyncope or hypotension.
- In contrast, only 56% of the control group completed the test.
- Both garments maintained systolic blood pressure and reduced tachycardia and stroke volume reduction during tilt.
Conclusions:
- Both AGS and Kentavr garments effectively countered hypovolemia-induced orthostatic intolerance.
- The Kentavr garment provided protection with significantly lower compression levels.
- Optimizing compression levels may enhance astronaut comfort and reduce post-flight activity restrictions.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
01:26Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
Nursing responsibilities before cardiac catheterization include:Assess for allergies and establish baseline health status.Before cardiac catheterization, assess the patient for allergies to contrast dye. Perform a comprehensive baseline assessment, including vital signs, heart and breath sounds, and a neurovascular assessment of the extremities, noting distal pulses, skin color, and temperature. Instruct the patient to fast for 8-12 hours before the procedure. Evaluate baseline laboratory...
01:26Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses
Antimuscarinic drugs have various therapeutic applications by inhibiting parasympathetic stimulation in different systems. Here are the key therapeutic uses of antimuscarinics:
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal secretions in common...
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal secretions in common...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
01:17Aortic Regurgitation IV: Nursing Management
A nurse managing a patient with aortic regurgitation begins with a comprehensive assessment, including a review of the patient's medical history, family history, and lifestyle factors. During the cardiac examination, the nurse listens for heart sounds and checks for signs of valve abnormalities. The nurse also observes for symptoms such as dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and assesses the patient's endurance and daily activity tolerance.Based on the findings, the nurse...