Thrombotic triad in microgravity

Thrombotic disease may be an underdiagnosed condition of prolonged exposure to microgravity and yet the underlying factors remain poorly defined. Recently, an internal jugular vein thrombosis was diagnosed in a lowrisk female astronaut after an approximately 7-week space mission. Six of the additional 10 crew members demonstrated jugular venous flow risk factors, such as suspicious stagnation or retroversion. Fortunately, all were asymptomatic. Observations in space as well as clinical and in vitro microgravity studies on Earth, where experiments are designed to recapitulate the conditions of space, suggest effects on blood flow stasis, coagulation, and vascular function. In this article, the related literature on thrombotic disease in space is reviewed, with consideration of these elements of Virchow's triad.

Automated summary

Thrombotic disease may be underdiagnosed in microgravity conditions, and the underlying factors are still poorly understood. A case of internal jugular vein thrombosis was recently diagnosed in a low-risk female astronaut, and six out of ten additional crew members showed risk factors for jugular venous flow. Observations in space and studies on Earth suggest that microgravity affects blood flow, coagulation, and vascular function.