Orthostatic intolerance after spaceflight
Abstract
Orthostatic intolerance occurs commonly after spaceflight, and important aspects of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We studied 14 individuals supine and standing before and after three space shuttle missions of 9-14 days. After spaceflight, 9 of the 14 (64%) crew members could not complete a 10-min stand test that all completed preflight. Pre- and postflight supine hemodynamics were similar in both groups except for slightly higher systolic and mean arterial pressures preflight in the finishers [15 +/- 3.7 and 8 +/- 1.2 (SE) mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05]. Postflight, finishers and nonfinishers had equally large postural reductions in stroke volume (-47 +/- 3.7 and -48 +/- 3.3 ml, respectively) and increases in heart rate (35 +/- 6.6 and 51 +/- 5.2 beats/min, respectively). Cardiac output during standing was also similar (3.6 +/- 0.4 and 4.1 +/- 0.3 l/min, respectively). However, the finishers had a greater postflight vasoconstrictor response with higher total peripheral resistance during standing (22.3 +/- 1.2 units preflight and 29.4 +/- 2.3 units postflight) than did the nonfinishers (20.1 +/- 1.1 units preflight and 19.9 +/- 1.4 units postflight). We conclude that 1) the primary systemic hemodynamic event, i.e., the postural decrease in stroke volume, was similar in finishers and nonfinishers and 2) the heart rate response and cardiac output during standing were not significantly different, but 3) the postural vasoconstrictor response was significantly greater among the finishers (P < 0.01).
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Up to two-thirds of astronauts have orthostatic intolerance or hypotension after spaceflight.
“However, because up to two-thirds of astronauts have orthostatic intolerance or hypotension after spaceflight (Buckey et al. 1996)”
From Melatonin attenuates the sympathetic nerve responses to orthostatic stress in humans (2003) · cites this paper as Buckey et al. 1996
In astronauts, reductions in total peripheral resistance contribute importantly to post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance.
“In astronauts, reductions in total peripheral resistance contribute importantly to post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance (Buckey et al. 1996).”
From Melatonin attenuates the sympathetic nerve responses to orthostatic stress in humans (2003) · cites this paper as Buckey et al. 1996
Postflight orthostatic intolerance on return to Earth has been noted following both short- and long-term flights, especially in women astronauts.
“Since the inception of space missions, a postflight orthostatic intolerance on return to Earth has been noted following both short-and long-term flights, especially in women astronauts.”
From Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (2019) · cites this paper as [17]
Even after brief space trips, approximately one-fourth to two-thirds of astronauts cannot stand for even 10 min upon return to Earth.
“Even after brief trips, approximately one-fourth to two-thirds of astronauts cannot stand for even 10 min upon return to earth (16)(17)(18).”
From Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (2019) · cites this paper as [17]
Many studies have demonstrated that prolonged bedrest or microgravity exposure can result in a POTS-like syndrome characterized by a tachycardic orthostatic intolerance even in previously healthy and active individuals.
“Many studies have demonstrated that prolonged bedrest or microgravity exposure can result in a POTS-like syndrome characterized by a tachycardic orthostatic intolerance even in previously healthy and active individuals (17,18,25,27,57-60).”
From Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (2019) · cites this paper as [17]
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- Authors
- Buckey, J. C., Lane, L. D., Levine, B. D., Watenpaugh, D. E., Wright, S. J., Moore, W. E., Gaffney, F. A., & Blomqvist, C. G.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
- Ames Research Center (US)
- Vanderbilt University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Published
- 1996-07-01
- Volume
- 81
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 7-18
- ISSN
- 0161-7567 (ISSN-L)
- 8750-7587
- 1522-1601
- OpenAlex
- W1852131826
- Cited by
- 596
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 7.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Cardiovascular Syncope and Autonomic Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Keywords
- orthostatic intolerance, spaceflight, Space Shuttle, stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output, vasoconstriction, systemic vascular resistance, crew members, microgravity
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Hypotension, Orthostatic, Leg, Male, Middle Aged, Oxygen Consumption, Posture, Regional Blood Flow, Space Flight, Stroke Volume, Vascular Resistance, Vasoconstriction, Weightlessness, Baroreflex
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