Tachycardia Research Articles

Effect of Thoracoscopic Surgery under Spontaneous Respiration on Inflammatory Indicators and Postoperative Complications in Elderly Patients with Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Background: In thoracoscopic surgery under spontaneous respiration, patients could breathe spontaneously during surgery without the need for mechanical ventilation via tracheal intubation. This technique can effectively avoid the injuries caused by tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation and the side effects of muscle relaxants, thus reducing postoperative complications and benefitting patients. This study aims to explore the application of thoracoscopic surgery under spontaneous respiration in the elderly with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) and its effect on inflammatory indices and postoperative complications. Methods: The medical records of 181 elderly patients with PSP who underwent thoracoscopic surgery in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2022 were chosen for retrospective analysis. After excluding 15 patients who did not meet inclusion criteria, 80 patients receiving spontaneous respiration via laryngeal mask ventilation were included in the study group and 86 patients undergoing pulmonary ventilation via single-lumen tracheal intubation were included in the control group in accordance with the different schemes used in the surgery. Preoperative anaesthesia induction, surgical and hospitalisation times were compared, and the haemodynamics and inflammatory indices and complication incidences of the two groups were analysed. Results: Recovery time and hospitalisation time significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly lower mean arterial pressure at T2 and faster heart rates at T2 and T3 (p < 0.001). At T5, T6 and T7, the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and C-reactive protein in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Thoracoscopic surgery under spontaneous respiration is safe and effective in the treatment of elderly patients with PSP. It reduces the levels of inflammatory factors and accelerates postoperative rehabilitation, showing certain value for clinical promotion.

Fast online spectral-spatial pulse design for subject-specific fat saturation in cervical spine and foot imaging at 1.5 T

ObjectiveTo compensate subject-specific field inhomogeneities and enhance fat pre-saturation with a fast online individual spectral-spatial (SPSP) single-channel pulse design.MethodsThe RF shape is calculated online using subject-specific field maps and a predefined excitation k-space trajectory. Calculation acceleration options are explored to increase clinical viability. Four optimization configurations are compared to a standard Gaussian spectral selective pre-saturation pulse and to a Dixon acquisition using phantom and volunteer (N = 5) data at 1.5 T with a turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence. Measurements and simulations are conducted across various body parts and image orientations.ResultsPhantom measurements demonstrate up to a 3.5-fold reduction in residual fat signal compared to Gaussian fat saturation. In vivo evaluations show improvements up to sixfold for dorsal subcutaneous fat in sagittal cervical spine acquisitions. The versatility of the tailored trajectory is confirmed through sagittal foot/ankle, coronal, and transversal cervical spine experiments. Additional measurements indicate that excitation field (B1) information can be disregarded at 1.5 T. Acceleration methods reduce computation time to a few seconds.DiscussionAn individual pulse design that primarily compensates for main field (B0) inhomogeneities in fat pre-saturation is successfully implemented within an online "push-button" workflow. Both fat saturation homogeneity and the level of suppression are improved.

Development and validation of cardiac diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of myocardial injury in small animal models

Cardiac diffusion weighted-magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has slowly developed due to its technical difficulties. However, this limitation could be overcome by advanced techniques, including a stimulated echo technique and a gradient moment nulling technique. This study aimed to develop and validate a high-order DWI sequence, using echo-planar imaging (EPI) and second-order motion-compensated (M012) diffusion gradient applied to cardiac imaging in small-sized animals with fast heart and respiratory rates, and to investigate the feasibility of cardiac DWI, diagnosing acute myocardial injury in isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury rat models. The M012 diffusion gradient sequence was designed for diffusion tensor imaging of the rat myocardium and validated in the polyvinylpyrrolidone phantom. Following sequence optimization, 23 rats with isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial injury and five healthy control rats underwent cardiac MRI, including cine imaging, T1 mapping, and DWI. Diffusion gradient was applied using a 9.4-T MRI scanner (Bruker, BioSpec 94/20, gradient amplitude = 440 mT/m, maximum slew rate = 3440 T/m/s) with double gating (electrocardiogram and respiratory gating). Troponin I was used as a serum biomarker for myocardial injury. Histopathologic examination of the heart was subsequently performed. The developed DWI sequence using EPI and M012 provided the interpretable images of rat hearts. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were significantly higher in rats with acute myocardial injury than in the control group (1.847 ± 0.326 * 10–3 mm2/s vs. 1.578 ± 0.144 * 10–3 mm2/s, P < 0.001). Troponin I levels were increased in the blood samples of rats with acute myocardial injury (P < 0.001). Histopathologic examinations detected myocardial damage and subendocardial fibrosis in rats with acute myocardial injury. The newly developed DWI technique has the ability to detect myocardial injury in small animal models, representing high ADC values on the myocardium with isoproterenol-induced injury.

Emergency Surgical Management of Thoracic and Limb Injuries in a Hare (Lepus nigricollis)

A one-month old hare (Lepus nigricollis) was brought to the department in emergency with a complaint of dog bite two hours ago due to long chase with dog. Animal was unconscious due to numerous wounds on the thorax and limbs. On clinical examination, fast heart beats were measured from the thoracic perforation at 5th intercostal space and an open wound at the hock joint with abrasions was visible on right hind limb. The animal was handled with appropriate care and after stabilization of vital parameters, surgical management was undertaken under general anaesthesia. The animal showed marked improvement and recovered uneventfully on the 10th post-operative day.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Lighthouse at the End of the World and the Boy who Searched for the Light

Defining the word "trauma" is a delicate and difficult challenge, but I think it is very important to include the word trauma in our vocabulary. Generally, when we think of the word trauma, most of us associate it with a catastrophic event. However, it can apper into our lives and disrupt the proper functioning of our mind, body and soul generated by even "smaller" events. The difference is made by everyone's degree of resistance to stress.&#x0D; &#x0D; It is also very important to use the word trauma in a way that is as conscious as possible, but also correct.&#x0D; The studies tell us very clearly, starting from Sigmund Freud’s Era, that you cannot overcome, you cannot improve, you cannot heal something that you cannot express in words. Trauma is the effect or the produced by an event or an experience in our inner universe. It is a form of disconnection from one's own person, from one's own story and most often from one's own body.&#x0D; While the causes and symptoms of trauma are various, there are some basic signs. People who have been through traumatic events will often appear shaken and disoriented and may often seem withdrawn or absent even when speaking.&#x0D; Another clear sign of trauma is the anxiety (night terrors, nervousness, irritability, poor concentration and mood swings).&#x0D; Trauma often manifests itself both emotionally and physically.&#x0D; The emotion motion is one of the most common ways trauma manifests itself. Some common emotional symptoms of trauma include denial, anger, sadness, and emotional outbursts , anxiety or panic attacks.&#x0D; Some common physical signs are: paleness, lethargy, exhaustion, poor concentration, and rapid heartbeats.&#x0D; The effects of trauma can occur either in a short period of time after the event has taken place or in weeks or even years. The earlier the trauma is addressed, the more successful the person will be in the recovery process.&#x0D; We all go through scary situations at some point, but we all react differently. If a person cannot get over the traumatic event and his feelings about the experience remain present or worsen as time goes on, he might suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.&#x0D; Sometimes when we go through an extremely terrifying or chronically stressful experience, the brain overestimates the danger and our stress systems malfunction.&#x0D; When this happens, different areas of the brain begin to make mistakes as they interpret the world around them and tell the rest of the body how to respond.&#x0D; PTSD is associated with problems in the brain structures and neurotransmitters (the brain's chemical messengers) that are responsible with the way we respond to fear and stress.&#x0D; The word trauma can really scare us, but there is also healing.&#x0D; But healing is not guaranteed, according to Gabor Matte,but it is available and it depends only on our freedom to choose what we do next.&#x0D; What does trauma recovery mean?&#x0D; It's about reclaiming our healthy parts, reclaiming the external reality as a benchmark and reclaiming our ability to acknowledge the pain from the past, allowing it the right to exist in present context.&#x0D;

Plain language summary of the safety and effectiveness of etripamil for atrioventricular-nodal-dependent supraventricular tachycardia: the RAPID study.

This is a plain language summary of a clinical research study called RAPID. The study looked at the potential for how safe and effective etripamil was at stopping an episode of rapid heartbeats in people with atrioventricularnodal-dependent supraventricular tachycardia (AV-node-dependent SVT). An episode is used to describe the period of time when a person experiences an abnormally very fast heartbeat. This was done by comparing an investigational drug called etripamil with a placebo, each administered via a rapidly acting nasal spray. AV-node-dependent SVT affects the rhythm of the heart, causing it to suddenly beat rapidly. The condition often requires medical treatment to help return the heart to its normal, healthy heartbeat pattern and speed, called 'sinus rhythm'. Researchers are looking at ways of improving the management of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) by reducing the need for patients to attend an urgent care clinic, emergency ward or hospital for treatment. In the RAPID study, participants used a nasal spray containing either 70mg etripamil or a placebo solution when they experienced an episode of SVT. The researchers wanted to know how long it took for each participant's rapid heartbeat to return to sinus rhythm after administering the etripamil or placebo nasal spray. Participants in the study were considered successfully treated if their heartbeats returned to sinus rhythm for at least 30seconds within 30minutes of using the nasal spray. Although 30seconds may seem brief, it's medically important because it shows that a person's heartbeat has been temporarily stabilized and returned to normal functioning. Out of 99 people who used etripamil during an SVT episode, 63 participants (64%) experienced a return to sinus rhythm for at least 30seconds within 30minutes after using the nasal spray. In contrast, 26 out of 85 participants (31%) who used the placebo nasal spray experienced a return to sinus rhythm for at least 30seconds within 30minutes after use. Furthermore, the average time taken for the return to sinus rhythm was 17minutes for the etripamil group which was 3-times faster than the placebo group at 53minutes. Also, in the study no serious side effects occurred that were related to etripamil. The RAPID study supports the potential that etripamil may be safe and well tolerated by participants as a treatment for episodes of rapid heartbeat in people with AV-node-dependent SVT. The results also showed a significant improvement in symptoms following treatment with etripamil.

Association between handgrip strength and physical activity: A nationwide population-based study in Korea.

This study investigated the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and physical activity (PA) at different levels in Korean adults for the purpose of providing direction for increasing HGS, which represents muscular strength, and increasing understanding of PA and HGS. This study targeted adults aged ≥30 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2019), including 31,888 participants for analysis. HGS was defined as the maximum value of the three measurements of the dominant hand. PA was defined as an activity that causes shortness of breath or a fast heartbeat. Data were weighted according to survey district and household data; p<.05 was considered statistically significant. In men, HGS in those aged 30-64 years was significantly associated with high-intensity PA and in those aged ≥65 years was associated with moderate-intensity PA. In women, HGS in those aged 30-64 years was also significantly associated with high-intensity PA, and in those aged ≥65 years, it was significantly associated with both moderate- and high-intensity PA. Moreover, compared to participants who did not participate in weight training, those who participated showed higher HGS in both sexes. This study demonstrated age- and sex-specific characteristics of the association between HGS and PA in Koreans. The findings suggest the importance of managing health by considering differences in age- and sex-related PA. In particular, this study suggests that adequate PA is necessary despite its importance of PA for elderly individuals.

P 023: Idiopathic left fascicular ventricular tachycardia in pregnancy

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) can occasionally cause complications in pregnancy. In structurally normal heart, VT that arises in the left ventricle is uncommon and is termed as idiopathic left fascicular VT (ILVT). We report a case of 32-year-old lady, gravida 4 para 3 who presented to us at 34 weeks of pregnancy with symptomatic stable cardiac arrythmia with heart rate of 160 beats per minute. Electrocardiogram showed wide complex tachycardia with positive initial R wave at aVR and capture beats suggestive of ILVT. Echocardiogram was normal. She received IV verapamil 25 mg in total which failed to revert to sinus rhythm and hence, she underwent emergency Caesarean section followed by synchronized cardioversion urgently in operation theatre. Post cardioversion ECG showed sinus rhythm with memory T waves at chest leads. She was scheduled radiofrequency ablation later. This case highlights the importance of attaining the diagnosis of ILVT with distinctive ECG changes. Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) VT morphology depends on the site of origin, with either LBBB or early precordial transition in leads V1 to V2 or RBBB pattern in V1 with broad monophasic R in the precordial leads. In addition, there will be an R:S amplitude ratio of 30% or more or an R:QRS duration ratio of 50% in leads V1–2 with other features like capture beats and fusion beats. ILVT responds well with verapamil and can be cured with cardiac ablation, with success rates of more than 90%. ILVT though difficult to diagnose, it has distinctive ECG features which can lead to its diagnosis for appropriate treatment to be given accordingly. ILVT in pregnant patients generally has a good prognosis.

Unveiling the silent threat of new onset atrial fibrillation in covid-19 hospitalized patients: A retrospective cohort study.

COVID-19, a highly infectious respiratory disease, has been associated with a range of cardiovascular complications. One of the most commonly reported cardiovascular issues in COVID-19 patients is the development of arrhythmias. Among all types of arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation is the most frequently observed. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat, and it can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. To investigate the incidence and association of new onset atrial fibrillation in COVID-19 hospitalized patients and its impact on survival. A retrospective cross-sectional study that encompassed all patients, both positive and negative for COVID-19, who were consecutively admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, a tertiary care facility, from June 2021 to December 2021. A total of 1,313 patients who met the inclusion criteria of our study were enrolled as participants. These patients were then stratified into two groups based on COVID-19 status: the study group (COVID-19 positive) comprised 626 (47.7%) patients and the control group (COVID-19 negative) consisted of 687 (52.3%) patients. The incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation was 85 (13.6%) in COVID-19 positive compared to 43 (5.2%) in COVID-19 negative group. The study found a strong association between COVID-19 and new-onset atrial fibrillation in both univariate (unadjusted odd ratio 2.35 [95% CI, 1.60-3.45], p-value < 0.01) and a multiple-adjusted regression analysis (adjusted odd ratio 3.86 [95% CI, 2.31-6.44], p-value < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients, especially those with pre-existing conditions that predispose them to the development of atrial fibrillation. The study underscores the need for prompt recognition and management of new onset atrial fibrillation in COVID-19 patients, as this may mitigate the risk of adverse outcomes and improve overall prognosis.

Kiosk 6Q-FA-05 - Wide Complex Tachycardia: A Tale of Two Imaging Modalities

Kiosk 6Q-FA-05 - Wide Complex Tachycardia: A Tale of Two Imaging Modalities

Alternative routes to intravenous procedural sedation to cardiovert unstable wide complex tachycardia – case report and review of literature

Background: Cardioversion is the treatment of choice in an unstable patient with arrhythmia. It requires analgesia and sedation, which is usually given via intravenous route. However, when there is a failure to get vascular access, alternatives routes to intravenous (IV) sedation and analgesia are needed. Case Presentation: A 59 year old male patient was presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of chest pain and palpitation. His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed new onset rapid narrow complex atrial fibrillation, which then converted to wide complex tachycardia. Initially, the patient remained hemodynamically stable, but his blood pressure dropped, when cardioversion was indicated. In this case, intranasal (IN) and intraosseous (IO) routes were used, both of which are uncommon to be used for sedation in an unstable patient. The sedatives bioavailability and dosage via non intravenous (non-IV) routes are not commonly used, hence, literature was reviewed to find out the appropriate sedative dosage via non-IV routes specifically in IN and IO route for moderate sedation in ED, to facilitate procedures like cardioversion. Conclusion: It was believed that IN and IO routes are good alternatives to intravenous routes when timely vascular access can&amp;apos;t be secured and when emergency medication administration is required.

Alternative routes to intravenous procedural sedation to cardiovert unstable wide complex tachycardia – case report and review of literature

Background: Cardioversion is the treatment of choice in an unstable patient with arrhythmia. It requires analgesia and sedation, which is usually given via intravenous route. However, when there is a failure to get vascular access, alternatives routes to intravenous (IV) sedation and analgesia are needed. Case Presentation: A 59 year old male patient was presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of chest pain and palpitation. His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed new onset rapid narrow complex atrial fibrillation, which then converted to wide complex tachycardia. Initially, the patient remained hemodynamically stable, but his blood pressure dropped, when cardioversion was indicated. In this case, intranasal (IN) and intraosseous (IO) routes were used, both of which are uncommon to be used for sedation in an unstable patient. The sedatives bioavailability and dosage via non intravenous (non-IV) routes are not commonly used, hence, literature was reviewed to find out the appropriate sedative dosage via non-IV routes specifically in IN and IO route for moderate sedation in ED, to facilitate procedures like cardioversion. Conclusion: It was believed that IN and IO routes are good alternatives to intravenous routes when timely vascular access can&amp;apos;t be secured and when emergency medication administration is required.

Assessment and Management of a Child With Wide Complex Tachycardia

Assessment and Management of a Child With Wide Complex Tachycardia

Serotonin syndrome: An often-neglected medical emergency.

Optimum serotonin level in the serotonergic synapses of the central nervous system (CNS) is related to mood, behavior, and sleep. Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a rare yet very dangerous adverse effect resulting from increased serotonin in CNS. The diagnosis of SS is based on the presence of clinical symptoms, which can include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, tremors, sweating, and diarrhea. SS is invariably caused by inadvertent use of serotonergic medicines. There is an ever-growing list of medicines that are associated with the risk of SS. Some of the common classes of drugs that can contribute to the development of SS include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, stimulants (e.g., amphetamines and cocaine), lithium, opioids, drugs used for recreational purposes like ecstasy Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and some herbal supplements (e.g., St. John's Wort). SS can occur when these medications are taken alone or in combination, especially when a new medication is added, or the dose of an existing medication is changed. The management of SS typically involves discontinuing the use of the substance that caused the excess serotonin levels and providing supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, benzodiazepines may be used to control agitation and muscle rigidity, while serotonin antagonists, such as cyproheptadine, may be used to reduce serotonin levels. The literature review points to a general unawareness among physicians about the condition or drugs associated with it. Consequently, this potentially fatal condition is overlooked. There is a need for regular information updates and reminders to all those who prescribe medications to the patients.

Cancer-Induced Resting Sinus Tachycardia: An Overlooked Clinical Diagnosis.

Elevated resting heart rate is frequently observed in cancer patients, and is associated with increased mortality. Although specific chemotherapeutic agents can induce cardiotoxicity, the presence of sinus tachycardia in chemotherapy-naive patients suggests other factors likely contribute to this clinical presentation. Despite its prevalence, cancer-associated resting sinus tachycardia has not been fully recognized and comprehensively described as a separate clinical entity. Secondary effects of cancer, especially structural cardiac changes, secretory factors (inflammatory cytokines), and thromboembolic disease can cause resting tachycardia. Alternatively, rapid heart rate may reflect compensatory mechanisms responding to increased metabolic demands, raised cardiac output states, and even pain. Hence, cancer-associated tachycardia presents a clinical dilemma; acute life-threatening conditions (such as sepsis, pulmonary embolism, etc.) must be ruled out, but cancer itself can explain resting sinus tachycardia and more conservative management can avoid unnecessary testing, cost and patient stress. Furthermore, identification and management of cardiac conditions associated with cancer may improve survival and the quality of life of cancer patients.

A nanosecond pulse power supply for grid-controlled electron gun used in HALF

Hefei Advanced Light Facility (HALF) uses a grid-controlled thermionic cathode gun as its electron source of the linear accelerator. The nanosecond grid-controlled power supply is an important part of the electron gun power supply system, and its performance will affect the quality of the beam. To achieve the requirements of the electron gun for nanosecond pulse power supply, we use the series-parallel multi-stage avalanche transistor scheme to achieve nanosecond fast pulse output. The test results show that the power supply not only can meet the requirements of HALF for its electron gun but also have good waveform repeatability and amplitude stability.

Specific Information about Cardiac Neurosis and Treatment and Prevention

Heart disease has plagued mankind since the earliest times. There are some common heart conditions like coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, hypertensive heart disease and so on. These heart sicknesses afflict people of all ages. There is a people around who have heart disease, but don't hear about it often compared to others. She thought it was just a faster heartbeat until she was diagnosed, and then a variety of symptoms occurred that were more severe before she was diagnosed with cardiac neurosis. This disease can also occur at different ages, many behaviors and different other sicknesses have an impact on it as well. How do we recognize these symptoms as indicative of cardiac neurosis, and what can we do to prevent and treat the disease once it has been diagnosed? With these questions I want to learn more about this disease and let more people know this disease.

Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of a 500 kV Ultrawideband Coaxial Matched Load and Its Connectors for Fast Transient Pulse Measurement Systems

In the past few decades, Pulsed Power (PP) has been one of the fastest growing technologies, with more and more systems frequently emerging in domains such as civil, medical and military. These systems are based on high-voltage pulses, up to several hundreds of kilovolts, with temporal parameters ranging from microsecond levels to sub-nanosecond levels. One of the biggest challenges in this technology is the accurate and precise measurement of the generated PP. The PP measurement systems must possess high-voltage and wideband properties simultaneously, which is often conflicting. The central elements of a PP measurement system are a voltage divider and a termination load. The work presented in this article is dedicated to the second element of the PP measurement system. This paper describes the development of a 50 Ω coaxial termination load and its connectors for a high power ultrawideband (UWB) pulse measurement systems. The principle roles of these devices are to serve as a dummy matched load for the former and to facilitate the connections between different components of the pulse measurement system for the latter. These devices are designed to withstand pulse voltage amplitudes at least up to 500 kV with temporal parameters, such as rise time and pulse duration, varying from nanosecond to sub-nanosecond ranges. The main challenge in the development of a high-voltage UWB termination load is the tradeoff between the high-voltage and wideband characteristics, both of them requiring opposite dimensional aspects for the load device. This challenge is overcame by the special exponential geometry of the load device. The design employs a 30 cm long low-inductance tubular ceramic 50 Ω resistor, enclosed in a critically dimensioned shielding conductor of an exponential inner profile. This shrinking coaxial structure makes it possible to maintain a good level of matching all along the 50 Ω load. The results obtained through 3D electromagnetic modeling and vector network analyzer measurements show good agreement and confirm the reflection coefficient below −27 dB up to at least 2.5 GHz for the load device. Moreover, calculations demonstrate that the load device is very well adapted for nanosecond and sub-nanosecond pulses with voltage peaks as high as 500 kV. These results demonstrate the high-voltage and UWB properties of the developed load device and prove the utilization of this device in the measurement systems for the accurate and precise measurements of the PP.

Clinical and paraclinical characteristics of acute bronchitis patients at Hanoi Hospital of Traditional Medical

Objectives: To describe the clinical and paraclinical features of inpatients with acute bronchitis treated at Hanoi Hospital of Traditional Medical. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 acute bronchitis patients from April to December 2021. Eligible patients included in the study were carried out with clinical examination, blood test, and chest X-ray. Results: The mean age in the study was 66.78±18.33 years old; the patients over 70 years old are 56.67%; the female/male ratio is 1/1.03; 21.70% of patients had smoking tobacco and pipe tobacco. Cough, thick sticky yellow sputum difficult to expectorate, and crackles were common symptoms in all patients in this study. Fever, dyspnea, and chest pain while coughing accounted for 63.30, 28.33, and 46.67%. Most of the patients had a red tongue, yellow tongue moss, and float fast pulse. Peripheral blood tests showed that increased amount of leukocytes, mainly in neutrophils. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) increased with mean values of 36.33±15.47 mm and 25.49±16.08 mg/l.

Charge Carrier Trapping in the Surface Region of BiVO4 Photoanodes

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising method for converting solar energy into chemical energy stored in molecular hydrogen and oxygen. However, the efficiency of this process is heavily dependent on the properties of the photoelectrode materials used. Metal oxide semiconductors, such as BiVO4, are commonly used as photoanode materials, but they have poor charge transport properties and surface catalytic activity, which can limit their efficiency.To address these limitations, catalysts are often incorporated onto the surface of the photoanode to improve its surface activity. However, the overall efficiency of the photoelectrochemical process is also influenced by charged defect sites present both in the bulk and on the surface of the semiconductor. These defect sites can trap charges and hamper the kinetics of the process in the millisecond time scale. To address this issue, covalently coordinated catalyst layers and surface doping can be used to eliminate these trapped charges. Moreover, the bulk charge carriers are not entirely decoupled from the surface processes and can be influenced by surface treatments. Therefore, a multi-folded approach that considers both the surface and bulk properties of the photoanode, as well as the role of the catalysts, is necessary to improve the overall efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting.We have investigated interfacial charge trapping and transfer processes through a CoOx catalyst layer deposited on BiVO4 by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and cobalt incorporated into the subsurface region. We have shown, by the combination of activity studies and spectroscopy investigations, that oxygen vacancies modified by cobalt incorporation have a remarkable impact on the water oxidation activity and charge injection efficiency. We further demonstrated by transient photocurrent measurements performed by fast LED light pulses (within ms time scale) that the CoOx catalyst layer reduced the number of trapped electrons and improved the rate of charge utilization. Cobalt ions in the subsurface region on the other did not act as catalytic centers but they eliminated the trapping process. We have also confirmed these observations by transient absorption spectroscopy investigations and showed that cobalt incorporation had a much bigger effect on the charge recombination lifetime.