title: Central venous pressure in humans during microgravity.
abstract: Based on the results of head-down simulation studies and the results of parabolic flights, the hypothesis was tested that central venous pressure (CVP) in humans increases during microgravity (weightlessness) compared with during the ground-based supine position. CVP was recorded with an intravascular pressure transducer in seven healthy humans during short (20-s) periods of microgravity created by parabolic-flight maneuvers and in one astronaut before, during, and up to 3 h after launch of the Spacelab D-2 mission (Space Transport System-55). When the subjects were supine during the parabolic maneuver, CVP decreased during microgravity from 6.5 +/- 1.3 to 5.0 +/- 1.4 mmHg (P < 0.05). during the Spacelab D-2 mission, CVP was 6.2 mmHg during the initial minutes of microgravity, which was very similar to the value of 6.5 mmHg in the supine position 3.5 h before launch of the space shuttle. During the subsequent 3 h of weightlessness, CVP during rest varied between 2.0 and 6.2 mmHg. We conclude that CVP during short (20-s) and longer (3-h) periods of microgravity is close to or below that of the supine position on the ground.
authors.affiliation: Danish Aerospace Medical Centre of Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Foldager
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Jessen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ellegaard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stadeager
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Videbaek
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norsk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013026:Space Flight; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology; D014893:Weightlessness / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation