Assessment of Sex-Dependent Medical Outcomes During Spaceflight.

In this study sex-differences in medical outcomes during spaceflight are reviewed and probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is used to assess the impact on spaceflight missions of varying lengths. We use PRA to simulate missions of 42 days, 6 months, and 2.5 years.

Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Prophylactic Surgery Before Extended-Duration Spaceflight.

Prophylactic surgery before spaceflight may eliminate the risk of appendicitis and cholecystitis in astronauts on deep space missions. However, even minimally invasive surgery increases the risk of small bowel obstruction (SBO). Probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is a method that can be used to estimate the benefits and risks of prophylactic surgery.

Quantification of Medical Risk on the International Space Station Using the Integrated Medical Model.

The Integrated Medical Model (IMM) is a quantified, evidence-based decision support tool developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to assist in the assessment of the medical risk of human spaceflight missions. The IMM utilizes a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) approach to simulate potential in-flight medical events and resultant health and mission outcomes. The IMM has been utilized to estimate the medical risk associated with International Space Station (ISS) missions.

Blood transfusion for deep space exploration.

Background: Astronauts on exploration missions may be at risk for traumatic injury and medical conditions that lead to life threatening hemorrhage. Resuscitation protocols are limited by the austere conditions of spaceflight. Solutions may be found in low-resource terrestrial settings.

NASA's human system risk management approach and its applicability to commercial spaceflight.

As planning continues for commercial spaceflight, attention is turned to NASA to assess whether its human system risk management approach can be applied to mitigate the risks associated with commercial suborbital and orbital flights. NASA uses a variety of methods to assess the risks to the human system based on their likelihood and consequences. In this article, we review these methods and categorize the risks in the system as "definite," "possible," or "least" concern for commercial spaceflight.

Space adaptation back pain: a retrospective study.

Introduction: Back pain is frequently reported by astronauts during the early phase of spaceflight as they adapt to microgravity. The epidemiology of space adaptation back pain has not been well defined. This study aims to develop a case definition of space adaptation back pain, determine its incidence, and assess the effectiveness of available treatments.

Medical monitoring during the NASA Artificial Gravity-Bed Rest Pilot Study.

The NASA artificial gravity-bed rest pilot study (AGPS) was designed to investigate the efficacy of daily exposure to a +Gz acceleration gradient for counteracting the physiologic decrements induced by prolonged bed rest. Test subjects were continuously monitored by a physician for signs and symptoms of pre-syncope, motion sickness, and arrhythmias while on the centrifuge. In this article, we have summarized the medical monitoring observations that were made during the AGPS and included an assessment of the relative usefulness of the information provided by the various monitoring tools in making a decision to terminate a centrifuge spin.