Page 180 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

of space cardiology technologies. The space device
Cosmocard is developing the methodology that
was used in the Ecosan-2007 for electrocardiogram
dispersion mapping and can be used for the non-
invasive study of the energy-metabolic characteristics
of the cardiac muscle. This method is actively used in
clinic for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.
We hope that two new experiments—Cardiovector and
Cosmocard—that have been developed for the ISS will
allow us to answer questions about spatial distribution
of cardiac contraction energy in microgravity, ratio of
the right and left part of the heart, and relationship
between the hemodynamic and energy features of the
heart in different periods of a long-term space mission.

Vascular Studies in Space:
Good for Everyone’s Heart
Experiment Cardiovector aboard the ISS.
Perhaps the human heart does not really yearn to
Image credit: ROSCOSMOS
be free—at least not from gravity. Microgravity affects
the heart’s ability to pump blood and provide oxygen
to cells throughout the body, which can have serious
which arose in space medicine. Prenosological refers health consequences, especially upon landing on
to the study of changes in the body that precede their a planet. The heart adapts to changes in blood
development. This device is now used to examine distribution and pressure in weightlessness, which can
motor vehicle drivers, civil aviation pilots, and test cause dizziness or fainting upon return to the ground.
subjects in experiments on Earth involving various Four Canadian experiments, funded by CSA and led
stress factors. by Dr. Richard Hughson of the University of Waterloo,
have looked into why this happens in order to develop
A study that used the Ecosan-2007 to detect early effective countermeasures, help maintain the health
health issues among 105 bus drivers showed that of space travelers and reduce the detrimental effect
more than 30% of the drivers were in prenosological of aging on Earth.
and premorbid states, which sharply increases the
risk of motor vehicle accidents. During examinations The first experiment, Cardiovascular and Cerebro-
of civil aviation pilots, the use of Ecosan-2007 showed vascular Control on Return from the International Space
that long-term, work-related chronic stress increases Station (CCISS), found that important differences exist
the risk development of pathologies, which should be among individuals. The cardiovascular system ensures
considered during the expert evaluation of fitness for continuous supply of oxygenated blood to the brain
flight, especially for people over the age of 50.
The Ecosan-2007 complex was also used in a 520-day
experiment on Earth that simulated a flight to Mars.
Monthly examinations of the “Martian” crew located in These spaceflight studies provide
a pressurized mock-up of an interplanetary spacecraft
and, at the same time, of volunteer test subjects in a platform to explore potential
control groups in 12 different regions of the world mechanisms and help develop
were performed. Long-term telemedicine of medical-
environmental research using the Ecosan-2007 interventions to slow vascular aging
complex will be the prototype of a future system and improve health and quality of life
of individual prenosological monitoring, which will
be based on space cardiology methods. for everyone—regardless of whether
The results of the studies performed on Earth using the their hearts are free of gravity.
Ecosan-2007 complex served as a tool for Earth-based
clinical use and as the basis for the further development

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