Hemodynamic and hormonal correlates with exposure to lower body negative pressure after 12 hours head-down tilt

Hemodynamic and hormonal responses to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) after 12-h head-down tilt (HDT) were examined to investigate the mechanism of orthostatic intolerance following spaceflight. Ten young healthy male volunteers participated in the experiment. After 6 degrees HDT for 12 h, the tolerance to 1 h continuous -30 mm Hg LBNP was tested. Variables were measured before and after HDT, during LBNP, and 1 and 10 min after LBNP. Significant reduction in leg volume and plasma volume were observed at the end of 12-h HDT (500 ml and 5.5%, respectively). In the tolerant group, stroke volume index (SI) was decreased by 35% after 15 min LBNP, and carotid arterial blood flow (CBF), by 27% at the end of LBNP compared to the pre-LBNP value. Of the 10 subjects, 5 developed presyncope during LBNP; they exhibited remarkable reduction in SI, CBF, and heart rate, and increased secretion of ADH and adrenaline during or just prior to presyncope. This non-tolerant group tended to be hemo-concentrated from the start of the experiment. However, it will require a prospective study to determine if this variable is a reliable predictor of the outcome of the post-HDT LBNP test from data collected at the end of HDT.