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Long-duration human spaceflight induces atrophy in the left ventricular papillary muscles

C Tordeur1,2,3,4, E Abdessater5,6,7, A Hossein5,8,7

  • 1Laboratory of Physics and Physiology (LPHYS), Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles - Erasme Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. cyril.tordeur@ulb.be.

NPJ Microgravity
|November 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Microgravity exposure caused left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle atrophy in cosmonauts. This cardiac deconditioning highlights potential long-term health risks for astronauts during spaceflight.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Space Medicine
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Spaceflight leads to cardiac deconditioning, linked to hypovolemia and inactivity.
  • Animal studies suggest microgravity causes left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle atrophy.
  • Human data on microgravity's effect on LV papillary muscles is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of long-duration spaceflight on LV papillary muscle mass in humans.
  • To assess changes in LV morphology and function post-spaceflight.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to measure LV papillary muscle mass.
  • Assessed LV morphology and function in nine male cosmonauts.
  • Measurements were taken before and after 247±90 days of spaceflight.

Main Results:

  • LV papillary muscle mass decreased by 14% (P=0.017) after spaceflight.
  • No significant changes in LV volumes, ejection fraction, or strain parameters were observed.
  • Increased heart rate, cardiac output, mitral annular diameter, and LV sphericity were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Long-duration spaceflight induces atrophy of LV papillary muscles in humans.
  • The heart adapts to spaceflight through geometric changes.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of microgravity-induced papillary muscle atrophy.

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