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Related Experiment Videos

Pulmonary diffusing capacity, capillary blood volume, and cardiac output during sustained microgravity

G K Prisk1, H J Guy, A R Elliott

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0931.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|July 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

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Microgravity significantly increased pulmonary diffusing capacity by improving lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusion. These changes, driven by gravity, suggest even blood distribution in weightlessness without causing pulmonary edema.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology
  • Space Medicine
  • Pulmonary Function Testing

Background:

  • Understanding physiological adaptations to microgravity is crucial for astronaut health.
  • Previous studies suggest changes in cardiopulmonary function during spaceflight.
  • The specific mechanisms affecting pulmonary diffusing capacity in weightlessness require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify changes in pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL) and its components in microgravity.
  • To compare microgravity effects with 1-G supine and standing conditions.
  • To investigate the role of gravitational forces in pulmonary physiological adaptations.

Main Methods:

  • Pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL), pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc), membrane diffusing capacity (Dm), cardiac output (Qc), and stroke volume (SV) were measured.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline CardiopulmonaryNASA Discipline Number 00-00NASA Discipline Number 14-10NASA Experiment Number 178198 1/2NASA Program FlightNASA Program Space Physiology and CountermeasuresNon-NASA Center

Related Experiment Videos

  • Four subjects were studied during 9 days of microgravity (0 G).
  • Preflight (standing/supine) and postflight measurements were used for comparison.

    • Main Results:

    • DL increased by 28% in microgravity due to elevated Vc (28%) and Dm (27%).
    • Microgravity-induced Vc elevation mimicked supine 1-G, but Dm increase was unique to 0 G.
    • Cardiac output (Qc) and stroke volume (SV) showed temporal changes, peaking early in flight and lowest upon return.

    Conclusions:

    • Microgravity promotes uniform pulmonary capillary filling, increasing diffusion surface area.
    • Gravitational forces are the primary drivers of these pulmonary function changes.
    • Observed increases in Dm suggest no subclinical pulmonary edema developed during microgravity exposure.