Air plethysmography: an alternative method for assessing peripheral circulatory adaptations during spaceflights.

A new approach to the study of peripheral vascular hemodynamics in microgravity was initiated by designing an alternative methodology: air plethysmography (AP). This is the only technique that enables the quantification of vascular hemodynamics from gross measurements performed on the limbs. This paper reports a description of the device and of the measurement protocol.

[Vascular deconditioning (correction of deconditionring) in microgravity: results obtained in the french spationaut during the spatial mission EO 22].

First results on changes in vascular physiology in the first french spationaut during the French-russian spatial mission CASSIOPEE are reported in this paper. The data, obtained by Air Plethysmography during flight, evidence at the level of lower limbs alterations of venous filling and emptying characteristics (the latter particularly depending on the muscular pump function of the calf) and of capillary circulation.

Blood volume regulating hormones, fluid and electrolyte modifications during 21 and 198-day space flights (Altair-MIR 1993).

During the Altair MIR '93 mission we studied several parameters involved in blood volume regulation. The experiment was done on two cosmonauts before (B-60, B-30), during (D6, D12, D18 for French and D7, D12, D17 for Russian) and after the flight (R+1, R+3 and R+7). Space flight durations were different for two cosmonauts: for the Russian the flight duration was 198 days and for the French 21 days.

Biomedical program of the ALTAIR french russian flight onboard the MIR station.

One year after the achievement of the 2 weeks ANTARES french-russian mission in the MIR station in July 1992, a 22 days ALTAIR mission with a french cosmonaut has been performed in July 1993, making use of the scientific payload remaining on board. Taking benefit of the analysis of the previous mission, the experimental protocols were adapted to refine scientific objectives and gave to the scientists the opportunity to enhance quantitatively and qualitatively their results. The french biomedical program, conducted in close scientific cooperation with IMBP and associated laboratories, was composed of 8 experiments out of which 2 were new with regards to the ANTARES program.

PHYSIOLAB: a new laboratory for the study of the cardio-vascular system.

On the basis of the experience gained during the previous french-russian missions on board MIR about the adaptation processes of the cardio-vascular system, a new laboratory has been designed. The objective of this "PHYSIOLAB" is to have a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the changes in the cardio-vascular system, with a special emphasis on the phenomenon of cardio-vascular deconditioning after landing. Beyond these scientific objectives, it is also intended to use PHYSIOLAB to help in the medical monitoring on-board MIR, during functional tests such as LBNP.