Central venous pressure in humans during microgravity

Based on the results of head-down simulation studies and the results of parabolic flights, the hypothesis was tested that central venous pressure (CVP) in humans increases during microgravity (weightlessness) compared with during the ground-based supine position. CVP was recorded with an intravascular pressure transducer in seven healthy humans during short (20-s) periods of microgravity created by parabolic-flight maneuvers and in one astronaut before, during, and up to 3 h after launch of the Spacelab D-2 mission (Space Transport System-55). When the subjects were supine during the parabolic maneuver, CVP decreased during microgravity from 6.5 +/- 1.3 to 5.0 +/- 1.4 mmHg (P < 0.05). during the Spacelab D-2 mission, CVP was 6.2 mmHg during the initial minutes of microgravity, which was very similar to the value of 6.5 mmHg in the supine position 3.5 h before launch of the space shuttle. During the subsequent 3 h of weightlessness, CVP during rest varied between 2.0 and 6.2 mmHg. We conclude that CVP during short (20-s) and longer (3-h) periods of microgravity is close to or below that of the supine position on the ground.

Arterial pulse pressure and vasopressin release in humans during lower body negative pressure

The hypothesis was tested that narrowing of arterial pulse pressure (PP) is a determinant of arginine vasopressin (AVP) release in humans. Six normal males completed a two-step lower body negative pressure (LBNP) protocol of -20 and -50 mmHg, respectively, for 10 min each. None of these subjects experienced presyncopal symptoms. Arterial plasma AVP and plasma renin activity (PRA) (at 2-min intervals) only increased subsequent to a decrease in PP (invasive brachial arterial measurements) and stroke volume (ultrasound Doppler technique, n = 4). Simultaneously, mean arterial pressure did not change. A selective decrease in central venous pressure and left atrial diameter (echocardiography, n = 4) at LBNP of -20 mmHg did not affect AVP or PRA, whereas arterial plasma norepinephrine increased (n = 4). During LBNP, significant (P < 0.05) intraindividual linear correlations were observed between log(AVP) and PP in four of the subjects with r values from -0.75 to -0.99 and between log(PRA) and PP in all six subjects with r values from -0.89 to -0.98. In conclusion, these results are in compliance with the hypothesis that narrowing of PP in humans during central hypovolemia is a determinant of AVP and renin release.