Investigation of cerebral venous outflow in microgravity

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Space Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Venous return is significantly impacted by the gravitational gradient.
• Understanding heart filling mechanisms in microgravity is crucial for astronauts on long-term space missions.
• Compensatory mechanisms for venous function in space are of growing interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor cerebral venous outflow in astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
• To investigate compensatory mechanisms facilitating venous return in a microgravity environment.
• To study the effects of long-duration spaceflight on venous blood volume redistribution.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Drain Brain project on the International Space Station (ISS).
• Employed a novel application of strain-gauge plethysmography with a capacitive sensor.
• Monitored cerebral venous outflow during a microgravity experiment.

Main Results:

• Preliminary results indicate long-duration spaceflights cause venous blood volume redistribution.
• Observed distinct differences in cardiac oscillation amplitudes in neck veins.
• Confirmed changes in venous function during space missions.

Conclusions:

• The developed portable, non-invasive device is suitable for use on the ISS.
• The device's ease of use and independence from operators make it a valuable tool.
• Further trials are planned to fully investigate neck vein drainage function in microgravity.