[Assessment of regional blood filling by using the rheoplethysmographic method combined with functional tests]

Vascular responses of fingers and toes to the occlusion test as well as fingers, head, lungs and liver to the Valsalva maneuver were studied. The responses to the tests depended on the initial level of blood filling. The different level of blood filling was induced by orthostatic, head-down tilt and LBNP tests. It is recommended to use rheography (slow and pulse components) in combination with the occlusion test and Valsalva maneuver in order to assess regional blood filling and venous tone of crew-members in space flights.