MONITORING OF BLOOD AND INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE IN AVIATORS OF THE BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE SUBMITTED TO HIGH TRAINING LOADS IN FORCE SIMULATOR

Purpose: Intracranial pressure (ICP) is modulated by 3 components: brain tissue, cerebral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The ICP waveform contains 3 upstrokes in one wave: P1 - Percussion: systole; P2 - Tidal: intracranial compliance; and P3 - Dicrotic: diastole. Pilots are known to experience headaches when flying frequently, particularly when undergoing the influence of high gravitational attraction (Gz). These headaches are caused by changes in ICP, however, the factors behind these changes are still unclear and could be linked to the Gz itself or the movements. Method: This study aimed to non-invasively monitor the ICP of cadets from the Brazilian Air Force Academy during maneuvers using the T-27 aircraft force simulator. Eighteen volunteers were monitored using two sensors-left and right parietal bones. Cadets performed 6 isometric maneuvers with the control stick for 1 minute each: 1) rest: no movement; 2) front: push the stick forward; 3) back: pull the stick back; 4) left: rotate stick to the left; 5) right: rotate stick to the right; 6) return to rest position. Data was recorded and analyzed using the Braincare Analytics System. Morphological analysis showed a normal ICP pulse waveform for all cadets. Result: No difference was found in the time to peak and the pulse area when comparing between the left and right sensors and between all maneuvers. Heartbeat values during the isometric movements were lower than when at rest. This could be the effect of the Valsalva maneuver. Conclusion: In conclusion, the ICP remained unchanged during isometric movements in the T-27 aircraft force simulator.