Effect of microgravity on the respiratory system

Abstract

Because the pleural pressure gradient and regional distribution of pulmonary function are gravity dependent, substantial changes may be expected during weightlessness. Although very few measurements have been made during spaceflights, a number of observations during brief periods of weightlessness inside aircraft flying with parabolic trajectories confirm these predictions. Single-breath N2 washouts suggest a marked reduction in the inequality of ventilation distribution seen at 1 G. Similarly, inferences made from cardiogenic oscillations during single-breath washouts suggest a greater uniformity of perfusion during weightlessness. This is supported by changes seen on chest radiographs as well as by more direct measurements of regional blood flow distribution using radioactive iodine-labeled macroaggregates. Vital capacity is only slightly reduced, but functional residual capacity decreases by approximately 10% and maximum expiratory flow rates are slightly decreased, especially at low lung volumes. Weightlessness decreases abdominal girth, increases abdominal compliance, and substantially increases the abdominal contribution to tidal volume during resting breathing. Despite these changes, there does not appear to be any alteration in the temporal pattern of breathing. However, the deposition of inhaled medium-sized aerosol particles is substantially reduced, as predicted by model analyses of gravitational sedimentation. Virtually all these observations describe effects at the very onset of weightlessness. Practically nothing is known of slower functional changes and adaptations to prolonged weightlessness. Systematic repeated measurements during manned spaceflights will hopefully begin to provide some information on this subject in the near future.