Computational modeling of heart failure in microgravity transitions

Stefan L. Wilson, Klaus Martin Schulte, Anne Steins, Russell L. Gruen, Emma M. Tucker, Lex M. van Loon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The space tourism industry is growing due to advances in rocket technology. Privatised space travel exposes non-professional astronauts with health profiles comprising underlying conditions to microgravity. Prior research has typically focused on the effects of microgravity on human physiology in healthy astronauts, and little is known how the effects of microgravity may play out in the pathophysiology of underlying medical conditions, such as heart failure. This study used an established, controlled lumped mathematical model of the cardiopulmonary system to simulate the effects of entry into microgravity in the setting of heart failure with both, reduced and preserved ejection fraction. We find that exposure to microgravity eventuates an increased cardiac output, and in patients with heart failure there is an unwanted increase in left atrial pressure, indicating an elevated risk for development of pulmonary oedema. This model gives insight into the risks of space flight for people with heart failure, and the impact this may have on mission success in space tourism.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1351985
JournalFrontiers in Physiology
Volume15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jun 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cardiovascular
  • digital twin
  • mathematical model (MM)
  • physiology
  • space medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Computational modeling of heart failure in microgravity transitions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this