Mining the ECG: Algorithms and Applications

290 Pages·2015·15.91 MB·English

by  Carolina Varon

ARENBERG DOCTORAL SCHOOL
Faculty of EngineeringScience
Mining the ECG: Algorithms
and Applications
Carolina Varon
Dissertation presentedin partial
fulfillment of the requirementsfor the
degreeof Doctor in Engineering
April 2015

Mining the ECG: Algorithms and Applications
Carolina VARON
Supervisory Committee: Dissertation presented in partial
Prof. dr. ir. P. Wollants, chair fulfillment of the requirements for
Prof. dr. ir. S. Van Huffel, promotor the degree of Doctor
Prof. dr. ir. J.A.K. Suykens, promotor in Engineering
Prof. dr. ir. B. Puers
Prof. dr. L. Lagae
Prof. dr. B. Buyse
Prof. dr. HP. Brunner-La Rocca
(Maastricht University)
Prof. dr. D. Marinazzo
(University of Gent)
Prof. dr. R. Aarts
(Technische Universiteit Eindhoven)
April 2015
© 2015 KU Leuven – Faculty of Engineering Science
Carolina Varon, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 box 2446, B-3001 Leuven (Belgium)
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toestemming van de uitgever.
All rights reserved. No partof the publication may be reproduced in any form
by print,photoprint,microfilmoranyothermeanswithoutwrittenpermission
from the publisher.
Para mi abuelita Blanca

Acknowledgments
And there I was, looking at the Milky Way, when I remembered that dreams
brought me here, why I wanted to study so hard, why I wanted to finish my
PhD,andwhyIwanttolearnandlearnuntilIexplodelikeatypeIasupernova,
as a friend once said. During the last four years I learned that dreams can be
transformed, and that I need my dreams to keep going.
First, I want to thank my promotor Prof. Sabine Van Huffel, who gave me
the opportunity to start my PhD in Biomed. Sabine, I have learned so much
during my time here, and I have so many memories and stories to tell, which
means that I will always remember you and thank you for this opportunity.
Our talks during our trips in your car, the nice dinners we had in conferences,
meetings, andsocialevents alwaysencouragedme to keepgoing. Eventhough
I had difficult times during my PhD, you were always there trying to help me
as much as you could, and you always believed in me. Thank you very much
for that, thank you for the support, especially during these last months that
felt like eternity. I am sorry for the pranks that Steven and I pulled on you,
but I have to say that I laughed very hard and I hope you did the same.
I alsowantto thank my Co-promotorProf. JohanSuykens for believing in me
since my master thesis. During my PhDI hadmany meetings with you,where
you were always patient to guide me and give me the best advice to direct my
PhD. You were always there to listen to my ideas, and steer them in the right
direction. I learned so much from you, and I hope we can still work together
in the future.
Most of my research work was possible thanks to the close collaboration with
Dr. KatrienJansen,Prof. LievenLagae,Prof. DriesTestelmans,Prof. Bertien
Buyse,andPascalBorzée. Youwerealwaystherewithveryinterestingresearch
questions and challenges that motivated me to learn new methodologies and
especially new things in the fields of epilepsy and sleep, that I never imagined
I was going to learn. For me, the visits to the hospital, and the contact with
iii
iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
you really showed me that everything I have learned can be used somewhere.
More specifically, that my effort and sacrifice could hopefully help someone in
the future.
During my PhD I was involved in the Recap project, which gave me several
things to think about. I want to thank all the partners in the consortium,
especially Stuart, Nicolas, Jan, Michelle, Keji, and Prof. Hans-Peter Brunner-
La Rocca, with whom I worked very close to get the best we could from this
project. We managed to do it, and people are talking about it now! I also
want to thank Siegfried Jaecques for the time we spent traveling to our Recap
meetings, for the nice advice you gave me for my future career and for life
in general. I will never forget our small accident and your explanation about
the non-existence of zombies. Thanks also to the different partners in the
NXT_SLEEP consortium, and to Anouk Van de Vel for your interest in my
research. I hope we can collaborate in the future.
An important part of my PhD was the participation in several conferences,
whereIhadthechancetomeetincrediblynicepeoplelikeJuanBolea,Marianna
Meo, Antonio Fasano, Valeria Villani, and Alessandro. I had so much fun
during the social events, and it was always nice to know that you were going
to be there and we were going to support each other during our talks. Special
thanks to Luca Faes and Prof. Daniele Marinazzo for the nice collaboration
we started not so long ago. I am sure we will come up with nice things in the
future.
Thanks to all my colleagues in Biomed, Katrien, Ivan, Kris, Yipeng, Maarten,
Rosy, Aileen, Bogdan, Kirsten, Wang, Wout, Anca, Tim, Diana, Amir,
Vladimir, Miguel, Adrian, Nicolas, Bharath, Lieven, Devy, Milica, Laure,
Vanya, Griet, Ninah, Rob, Bori, Nico, Otto, Steven, Maria Isabel, Thomas,
and Alex. The party nights at Sabine’s place were always really nice, and it
has been a pleasure to work in such a diverse group. Gracias a Mauro y a
Richiporlosdescansos,lasconversasypordarmelaoportunidaddecompartir
ideas y frustraciones. Muchas gracias a Carlosijn, por los sabios consejos, por
el apoyo en momentos muy complicados, por los chistes que nunca llegaban a
mala hora y los que todavía me hacen reír. Gracias Carlosijn por explicarme
con paciencia y espero que podamos colaborar mucho más en el futuro.
Thanks to Hanski, Jan Deca, Jinbo, Mathieu, Daniel Rincon, Ivonna, Dusan,
Wouter and Karolien for the dinners, parties, and social interaction that kept
me away from becoming one with the computer. To Tim and Thomas thanks
for the game nights, and Tim it was really nice to share the office with you.
Bori and Adi it is so nice to share time with you two, but please do not forget
to restart with the food competition. Thanks to Maria and Jorg for the fun,
the matches, the song competition thing, and the nice atmosphere. Muchas
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v
gracias a mi Patty Chu, Camiloco, Paulo, Vane, Hugatie y Nataly por estar
siempre pendientes, porlos mensajes que me llenabande fuerza cuandomás lo
necesitaba. Los quiero mucho y es increíblemente bonito saber que cuento con
ustedes siempre.
Nayiaaaa thanks for your patience and for not giving up despite the fact that
in the last months I haven’t been the best friend. I really appreciate your
friendship and I am thankful to you for listening and supporting me here in
Belgium. Derydemicorazón,queseríademísinsusvisitas. Despuésdetantos
años me siento tan feliz de poder contar con usted y poder compartir tantas
cosas bonitas junticas. Gracias por estar ahí mi Dery!
AdoñaYolandalequieroagradecerportodoelcariñoquesiempremehadado
desde que nos conocimos. Usted ha sido como una mamá para mí. Muchas
graciasportantoscuidados,tantosmensajesbonitos,yporabrirmelaspuertas
de su casa y su familia. Gracias a Manio por estar siempre pendiente, por los
consejos y por tu amistad. Te agradezco siempre todas las cosas bonitas y el
apoyo que siempre me has dado desde Colombia.
Ahora voy a agradecerle al Santi, al amigo, al enemigo, al compañero de casa,
al cómplice, al compinche, etc., no sé cómo agradecerte por tantas cosas que
has hecho por mí. Porque sé que a pesar de todas las bobadas siempre estas
ahí y siempre estas pendiente de mí. Muchas gracias Santi por escucharme y
por todo lo que hemos pasado juntos.
OokeensuperbedanktaanMia,Francois,Claudia,KoenennatuurlijkQuinten.
Dank uvoorjullie steun envoorde toffe weekends die we samendoorbrachten.
Jullie zijn mijn familie hier in België, en dat betekent echt zeer veel voor mij.
Steeds als ik bij jullie ben, voel ik me echt thuis.
Gracias a mi familia en Colombia, especialmente a mi tío Fernando por creer
siempre en mí. Porquesiempre ha estado pendiente de mí, por ser esapersona
tan especial que me brinda seguridad desde que yo era pequeñita. A mi tati
no sé cómo agradecerte tanto. Hemos pasado por tanto y acá estamos, fuertes
y felices. A lilo, mi persona favorita, cada vez me siento más orgullosa de ti.
Estoy tan feliz de compartir esto con ustedes, y de saber que siempre estamos
los tres junticos en todo.
Ypararematarconbrochedeoro: specialandthebiggestthanksinthehistory
of mankind go to Steven. Mi lindo you cannot imagine how happy and lucky
I feel to share my life with you. Thanks for supporting me with every single
idea, plan and experiment that I have. Thanks for always believing in me and
forunderstandingwhatisgoingoninmyhead. Thanksforunderstandingthat
for some nights and weekends I could not spent time with you, in particular
during the last few months. Thanks for your care and love, for our jokes,
vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
systems, plans, trips, failures, dreams, and so on. I know that no matter how
difficult and hard a day has been, I can always go back home and rest next to
you.
Carolina
Leuven, April 2015