Abstract
Radiation-induced cardiovascular disease is a well-known complication of radiation exposure. Over the last few years, planning for deep space missions has increased interest in the effects of space radiation on the cardiovascular system, as an increasing number of astronauts will be exposed to space radiation for longer periods of time. Research has shown that exposure to different types of particles found in space radiation can lead to the development of diverse cardiovascular disease via fibrotic myocardial remodeling, accelerated atherosclerosis and microvascular damage. Several underlying mechanisms for radiation-induced cardiovascular disease have been identified, but many aspects of the pathophysiology remain unclear. Existing pharmacological compounds have been evaluated to protect the cardiovascular system from space radiation-induced damage, but currently no radioprotective compounds have been approved. This review critically analyzes the effects of space radiation on the cardiovascular system, the underlying mechanisms and potential countermeasures to space radiation-induced cardiovascular disease.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 631985 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine |
Volume | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Feb 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2021 Meerman, Bracco Gartner, Buikema, Wu, Siddiqi, Bouten, Grande-Allen, Suyker and Hjortnaes.Funding
Funding. This work was supported by the Innovation and the Netherlands CardioVascular Research Initiative (CVON): The Dutch Heart Foundation (2017T040), Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Science.
Funders | Funder number |
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Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen | |
ZonMw : Dutch Organisation for Health Research and Development |
Keywords
- cardiovascular system
- countermeasures
- experimental studies
- heart failure
- HZE ions
- long-distance space travel
- radiation-induced cardiovascular disease
- space radiation