Cardiovascular responses to orthostatic tests after a 42-day head-down bed-rest

Abstract

Cardiovascular responses to orthostatic tests were studied before and after a prolonged 42 day-head-down bed-rest (HDBR;−6°) experiment simulating a long duration space flight. Seven men participating in the experiment underwent stand tests (10 min) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) tests (5 min at −25, −35, −45 mmHg). Heart rate variability and spontaneous baroreflex response slope (SBS) were analysed to assess autonomic nervous system responses. Changes in plasma volume (PV) were assessed at the end of HDBR. At the end of HDBR, four subjects could not complete the stand tests and one could not complete the LBNP test. A higher stressed heart rate with standing (+44% before and +57% after HDBR) and LBNP exposure (+19% before and +34% after HDBR) were observed. A decrease in blood pressure (BP) reflecting a reduced vasomotor response was only observed with standing (mean BP +21% before and −8% after HDBR); LBNP was less sensitive probably because it was performed 6 h after the stand test. The PV decreased by 10.6%. A decline in spectrum total power reflecting a reduced variance of RR-interval, a decrease in parasympathetic activity and an increase in sympathetic one were observed at the end of HDBR. The reduced parasympathetic indicator and SBS would suggest that the vagal nerve component of the cardiovascular control had been diminished. Except for a lower BP when standing after HDBR, no significant difference was observed between finishers and non-finishers. Autonomic nervous system changes including reduced vasomotor responses constituted important contributors to the orthostatic intolerance observed here and after space flights. Some autonomic and PV changes seemed to be opposite to those observed with training and would suggest a role of reduced physical activity in cardiovascular changes induced by HDBR.