Effects of occlusive cuffs "Braslet" on crew hemodynamics in short space flights and orthostatic stability post flight]

Effects of prophylactic device Braslet (occlusive cuffs wrapped around the calf) on hemodynamics were studied at rest and during the LBNP test during and on orthostatic stability post short (one-month) space flights. The ultrasonic procedure was applied to seven cosmonauts who had and six cosmonauts who had not worn the cuffs while in orbit. The device markedly alleviated the subjective feeling of discomfort caused by blood shift toward the cranial end at the beginning of adaptation to microgravity. Reductions in the central and peripheral hemodynamics, cervico-cephalic venous plethora specifically, were sequel to staying in microgravity. Testing of the hemodynamic reactions to LBNP during and after shortflights failed to discover noticeable deltas among the cosmonauts who had and had not worn the cuffs. The first analysis of objective in- and postflight data did not suggest any determent in orthostatic stability of cosmonauts due to application of the Braslet cuffs.