Limitations of stroke volume estimation by non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in hypergravity.

Background: Altitude and gravity changes during aeromedical evacuations induce exacerbated cardiovascular responses in unstable patients. Non-invasive cardiac output monitoring is difficult to perform in this environment with limited access to the patient. We evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of stroke volume estimation by finger photoplethysmography (SVp) in hypergravity.

First-time imaging of effects of inspired oxygen concentration on regional lung volumes and breathing pattern during hypergravity.

Purpose: Aeroatelectasis can develop in aircrew flying the latest generation high-performance aircraft. Causes alleged are relative hyperoxia, increased gravity in the head-to-foot direction (+Gz), and compression of legs and stomach by anti-G trousers (AGT). We aimed to assess, in real time, the effects of hyperoxia, +Gz accelerations and AGT inflation on changes in regional lung volumes and breathing pattern evaluated in an axial plane by electrical impedance tomography (EIT).