CARDIOCONTROL - "Alterations in autonomic cardiovascular control induced at partial G forces CardioControl"

From 01-01-2011 to 31-12-2013

Description

Background. Cardiovascular control mechanisms by the autonomic nervous system (ANS)have been studied as a function of level of gravity during parabolic flights. However, untilnow, no intermediary G values could be obtained. In view of existing results, it can behypothesized that autonomic cardiovascular control will act gradually at partial G-forces, i.e. alinear relationship between different cardiovascular parameters and G-forces can be expected.The parabolic flights at Mars/Moon level of gravity give a unique opportunity to test thishypothesis.

Aims of the study: 1) to evaluate the effects of partial G transition (Mars and Moon G forces)on cardiovascular parameters; 2) to assess parameters of cardiac function during different Gphasesto appraise a possible relationship between the former and the latter; 3) to investigateautonomic cardiovascular control at different G-levels; 4) to compare elements of cardiacfunction at G-Mars, with physiological measurements obtained during a confinement study.

Methods. The experimental protocol includes noninvasive methods: 1) ECG recording toassess heart rate variability (HRV) and spectral HRV analysis to assess ANS during thedifferent phases of gravity; 2) finger-cuff blood pressure to obtain blood pressure variability(BPV), combination of the former and the latter provides access to the baroreflex; 3)respiration to assess vagal modulation. Time-frequency analysis will be used to assessdynamic changes and instantaneous frequency. Moreover (non)linear signal analysisalgorithms will be used to evaluate the regularity and synchronization of cardiorespiratorycoupling.

Team

• Sabine Van Huffel, Promoter
• Steven Vandeput, Team member

Financing

Funding: -