Following the diagnosis of venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) among crew members on the International Space Station, NASA’s Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO) has established a new framework to manage blood clot risks in microgravity. The initiative began in October 2024 with the formation of a specialized working group tasked with analyzing clinical data and refining medical guidelines.
By April 2026, the working group expanded its scope to incorporate new findings regarding altered blood flow patterns observed in astronauts. A primary focus of the research is stasis in the left internal jugular vein, which experts identified as a significant risk factor for VTE. While the panel noted that current in-flight ultrasound technology faces limitations in measuring slow blood flow, they emphasized the need for continued evaluation of these diagnostic tools.
To address these health concerns, the panel developed the VTE Risk Score for Astronauts Algorithm. This clinical tool incorporates weighted risk factors derived from terrestrial medical literature. Under the new guidelines, medical teams may prescribe anticoagulation prophylaxis if stasis is detected, or if a combination of other identified thrombosis risk factors is present. The working group continues to debate the specific impacts of retrograde flow and endothelial factors as they refine these evidence-based clinical recommendations.
Source: NASA
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