[Dehydration therapy in human exposure to simulated space flight factors].

The effect of intravenous injections of 20% mannitol in a dose of 1 g per kg of body weight at a rate of 5 ml/min on the central circulation and cardiac contractile function was investigated. The infusions were performed to 18 healthy male volunteers, who participated in a head-down tilt test at -8 degrees, during the control period, on days 3, 7 and 14 of bed rest, and during the recovery. It was found that the prolonged osmo-therapy produced a clinically distinct dehydration effect without influencing central circulation. The therapy also led to positive cardiodynamics which was indicative of a decrease of the heart unproductive work and an improvement of left ventricle contractile function.