Effect of G‐suit in Treatment of Postural Hypotension

Continuous, daily use of a modified aviator's g‐suit has effectively prevented severe symptoms of postural hypotension in two cases where other methods of treatment had failed. Hemodynamic effects were studied on a tilt table. Inflation of the g‐suit resulted in considerably higher systemic arterial pressure at heart level in the head‐up position. Increases were recorded in pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output. It is suggested that the g‐suit exerted its effect mainly by redistribution of blood volume into the intrathoracic compartment.