Cardiac function monitored by impedance cardiography during changing seatback angles and anti-G suit inflation

Impedance cardiography (IC) appears to be a promising noninvasive technique for monitoring small changes in pilot cardiovascular status during conditions simulating flight. Heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), ventricular ejection time (VET), and thoracic impedance (Zo) were monitored in ten volunteers for 5 min at each of four seatback angles from vertical: 12 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees. Data were also obtained at three seatback angles (12 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees) for 6 min each before, during, and after inflation of the standard USAF anti-G suit to 1.5 psi. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) in HR, SV, CO, VET and Zo were observed among the four positions. Inflation of the standard anti-G suit to 1.5 psi at 1.0 +Gz did not significantly alter HR, SV, or CO; whereas, 1 min of deflation of the anti-G suit significantly altered HR, SV, CO compared to inflation values. The results suggest IC can detect small differences in HR, SV, CO, VET, and Zo within subjects as a function of minor changes in body position.