Investigating heamodynamics in Parabolic Flight: early results and spillovers

Paper number

IAC-05-A2.1.06

Author

Mr. Panagiotis Kyrtatos, University College London, United Kingdom

Coauthor

Dr. Rachel Tullet, Whakatane Hospital, New Zealand

Coauthor

Ms. Lonnie Petersen, Denmark

Coauthor

Mr. Casper Grove, Denmark

Coauthor

Mr. Bruce Braithwaite, United Kingdom

Year

2005

Abstract

During the 55 ^th IAF Congress, Rachel Tullet presented our abstract Combining space and earth-based medical research regarding our experiment Investigating heamodynamics in Parabolic Flight, which was performed on board the A300 ZERO G during the 7 ^th ESA SPFC. That presentation focused on a description of our experimental methods, along with the potential applicability of our equipment both in space–related medical research and in everyday healthcare.

Firstly, we now present our early results from the parabolic flight experiment;
OBJECTIVES. To investigate the relationships between lower limb volume, common femoral vein blood flow and cardiac output, during varying amount of gravity, from zero-gravity to double the normal.
METHODS. The equipment used included an automated plethysmograph, an inert-gas rebreathing device, and a portable duplex scanner. These were integrated and mounted on the ZERO G A300. Measurements were made on four subjects; each was in either the sitting or supine position for 15 parabolas.
RESULTS. Our early results regarding plethysmography show that there is an increase in limb volume between 1g (normal gravity) and 2g (double) (median increase 0.483 mL/100mL, p= 0.003) and a decrease between 1g and 0g (weightlessness) (median decrease 1.045 mL/100mL, p = 0.003). The significance test used is Wilcoxon signed ranks with the Bonferroni correction.
CONCLUSIONS. The amount of limb volume in the sitting position varies significantly with changes in gravity.

What we are also very excited about is a spillover of knowledge that has occurred; with the knowledge and experience gained during the parabolic flight it was possible to investigate the venous heamodynamics of thirteen patients with venous disease, in a hospital setting. This research took place from September 2004 to January 2005 and has come up with some very interesting conclusions, which were submitted at the Venous Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine, UK.

In short, it was found that using the same plethysmograph used in the parabolic flight and the curve analysis methods, it may be possible to assign a numeric value to how severe the disease is. This is important because it allows for better-informed choices regarding treatment such as surgery (currently treatment is at the discretion of the surgeon, and therefore not the same across hospitals). We hope to validate these results with a greater sample size.
Our experience has thus shown to us that non-specialist centers can indeed carry out space medical research, by adapting existing resources, as was presented in the 55 ^th Congress. Moreover, cross-transfer of knowledge, which in our case occurred because the same persons did all the research, may benefit applications to healthcare. We wish to share this experience with others.

Abstract document

IAC-05-A2.1.06.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-A2.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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