Thigh Cuff Effects on Venous Flow Redistribution During 4 Days in Dry Immersion

PURPOSE: The objective was to quantify the venous redistribution during a 4-d dry immersion (DI) and evaluate the effect of thigh cuffs.METHODS: The study included nine control (Co) and nine subjects wearing thigh cuffs during the daytime (CU). Ultrasound measures were performed Pre-DI, on day 4 AM (D4 AM) and D4 PM: left ventricle stroke volume and ejection fraction (SV, EF), jugular vein volume (JVvol), portal vein diameter (PV), and middle cerebral vein velocity (MCVv). An additional measure of JVvol was performed on Day 1 after 2 h in DI.RESULTS: After 2 h in DI, JVvol increased significantly from Pre in both groups, but increased more in the Co compared to the CU subjects (Co: 0.27 0.15 cm³ to 0.94 0.22 cm³; CU: 0.32 0.13 cm³ to 0.64 0.32 cm³). At D4 AM, SV and EF decreased from Pre (SV: 111 23 cm³ to 93 24 cm³; EF: 0.66 0.07 to 0.62 0.07). JVvol was slightly increased (Co: 0.47 0.22 cm³ CU: 0.35 014 cm³). MCVv and PV remained unchanged from Pre-DI. No difference was found between the two groups for any of the parameters measured. From D4 AM to PM, no significant change was observed for any parameter.CONCLUSION: The results confirm that DI induces, during the first 2-3 h, a significant cephalic fluid shift as observed in spaceflight. During this early phase, the thigh cuffs reduced the amplitude of the fluid shift toward the head, but after 4 d in DI there was only a slight memory (residual) effect of DI on the jugular volume and no residual effect of the thigh cuffs.Arbeille P, Greaves D, Guillon L, Besnard S.