Work

Case study: dose-dependent internal jugular vein response to lower body negative pressure in microgravity quantified by the flow directionality index

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Microgravity alters jugular venous flow, which in turn may increase thrombosis risk. In this graded lower body negative pressure experiment performed in true microgravity conditions during parabolic flight, we show that increasing negative pressure improves venous drainage in a dose-dependent manner. A new flow directionality index reveals subtle changes in flow not captured by existing grading systems, supporting lower body negative pressure as a practical countermeasure to mitigate stagnant internal jugular vein blood flow during future space missions.

Source: Journal of Applied Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00018.2026