Document Detail


Simulated microgravity induces microvolt T wave alternans.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16029389     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: There are numerous anecdotal reports of ventricular arrhythmias during spaceflight; however, it is not known whether spaceflight or microgravity systematically increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. Microvolt T wave alternans (MTWA) testing compares favorably with other noninvasive risk stratifiers and invasive electrophysiological testing in patients as a predictor of sudden cardiac death, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. We hypothesized that simulated microgravity leads to an increase in MTWA. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male subjects underwent 9 to 16 days of head-down tilt bed rest (HDTB). MTWA was measured before and after the bed rest period during bicycle exercise stress. For the purposes of this study, we defined MTWA outcome to be positive if sustained MTWA was present with an onset heart rate<or=125 bpm. During various phases of HDTB, the following were also performed: daily 24-hour urine collections, serum electrolytes and catecholamines, and cardiovascular system identification (measure of autonomic function). RESULTS: Before HDTB, 17% of the subjects were MTWA positive [95%CI: (0.6%, 37%)]; after HDTB, 42% of the subjects were MTWA positive [95%CI: (23%, 63%)] (P=0.03). The subjects who were MTWA positive after HDTB compared with MTWA negative subjects had an increased versus decreased sympathetic responsiveness (P=0.03) and serum norepinephrine levels (P=0.05), and a trend toward higher potassium excretion (P=0.06) after bed rest compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: HDTB leads to an increase in MTWA, providing the first evidence that simulated microgravity has a measurable effect on electrical repolarization processes. Possible contributing factors include loss in potassium and changes in sympathetic function.
Authors:
S Marlene Grenon; Xinshu Xiao; Shelley Hurwitz; Craig D Ramsdell; Natalie Sheynberg; Christine Kim; Gordon H Williams; Richard J Cohen
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology : the official journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc     Volume:  10     ISSN:  1082-720X     ISO Abbreviation:  Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol     Publication Date:  2005 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-07-20     Completed Date:  2005-11-10     Revised Date:  2008-03-10    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9607443     Medline TA:  Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  363-70     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Hypertension, and Diabetes, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02142, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology*
Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology
Bed Rest
Electrocardiography
Exercise Test
Head-Down Tilt
Humans
Male
Risk Factors
Weightlessness*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
5M01RR02635/RR/NCRR NIH HHS
Investigator
Investigator/Affiliation:
G H Williams / Brigham & Women's Hosp, Boston, MA; R J Cohen / MA Inst Technol, Cambridge

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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