Prof. Vessela Krasteva, PhD | CV

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Personal Data

• Born: 16 April 1976, Sofia, Bulgaria

Education

• 1999 – 2001: PhD student, Centre of Biomedical Engineering – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), scientific area: “Automated systems for information processing and control (with applications in biology and medicine)”.
• 1993 – 1998: Master of Science in Electronic Engineering, Technical University – Sofia, Bulgaria, Faculty of Electronic Engineering and Technologies, Medical equipment.
• 1989 – 1993: National High School of Mathematics and Sciences “Acad. L. Chakalov“,

Academic degrees and positions

• 2019 – present: Head of Department “Analysis and Processing of Biomedical Signals and Data”, in the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, BAS
• 2018 – present: Professor in the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, BAS
• 2010 – 2018: Associate professor in the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, BAS
• 2007 – 2010: Associate professor in the Centre of Biomedical Engineering, BAS
• 2002 – 2007: Research associate in the Centre of Biomedical Engineering, BAS
• 2001: PhD, Thesis title: „Modeling and investigation of transthoracic defibrillation waveforms and impedance“

Areas of research interest

• Biomedical engineering.
• Automated systems for information processing and control in medicine.
• Methods, algorithms, software and equipment in support of the diagnostics and treatment of cardiac diseases.
• Electrocardiography, Vectorcardiography, morphological and frequency analysis of waves, automated diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias, ECG monitoring systems, holters.
• Automated external defibrillators: pulsed biphasic waveforms, algorithms for detection of life- threatening conditions; analysis of ECG and impedance during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), CPR quality feedback.
• Digital signal processing: methods and algorithms for analysis of biosignals, digital filtration.
• Classification methods, Statistical analysis, algorithmic programming, decision support systems in medicine
• Machine learning, Deep neural networks.

Publication activity

• Publications in peer-reviewed journals with ISI impact factor: >32
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals with Scopus Rank: >33
• Publications in other peer-reviewed journals: >34
• Participation in international scientific forums with oral presentations and posters: >55
• Citations: >1320, Scopus h-index=15 (excluding self-citations)

Participation in реsearch projects

International projects

• 2005 – to present: Project with Schiller AG, Switzerland: “Methods, algorithms and their implementation by program and schematic solutions for the support of the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases“.
• 2012 – 2016: COST, TD1104: European network for development of electroporation-based technologies and treatments (EP4Bio2Med), Domain: Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences, Chair: prof. dr. Damijan Miklavcic.
• 2015 – 2018: Joint research project between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISIB-CNR), Padova, Italy, Investigation of the efficacy of ECG risk markers in different populations”.
• 2010 – 2015: Joint research project between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, St. George’s University of London and ISIB-CNR-Italy, „Analysis of digital electrocardiographic data”.
• 2007 – 2009: Joint research project between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and ISIB-CNR, Padova, Italy: „Repolarization phase in computerized electrocardiography: Analysis of T-wave morphology and QT dispersion”.
• 2004 – 2006: Project №3/2004 with Schiller-Medical SA, France: “Clinical study of the defibrillation electrodes during long-term thoracic impedance measurement; Comparative study of ECG signals acquired synchronously via defibrillation pads and standard ECG stick electrodes”.
• 2001 – 2003: 9 projects with Schiller Medical SAS, France
• 1999 – 2001: 5 projects with Bruker Medical SAS, France

National projects, funded by sources in Bulgaria

• 2019 – 2022: Project (DFNI Т08/19) “Audio transformation (sonification) of the electrocardiogram – a new approach for remote monitoring of the heart activity”, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.
• 2014 – 2018: Project (DFNI Т02/11) “Applicability of the bioelectrical heart activity for personal verification/identification“, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.
• 2009 – 2013: Project (TK02-451) “System for computer aid of the decisions for weaning critically ill ventilator dependent from mechanical ventilation”, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.
• 2009 – 2012: Project (DOCF01/101) “Study and development of high voltage generators for external defibrillation”, Grants for young scientists working on a PhD thesis in a national company, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.
• 2010 – 2011: Project: “The role of physical growth and pubertal maturation on cardiovascular autonomic control in healthy children and adolescents”, funded by the Medical University – Sofia.
• 2008 – 2011: Project (ДО-02-170) “Assessing the parameters of a shock sequence for successful defibrillation with minimum delivered energy to the patient”, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.
• 2004 – 2006: Project (№ 6Д/2004) “Precise localization of the size of myocardial infarction using the synthesized high-resolution vector electrocardiogram”, funded by the Medical University – Sofia.
• 2008 – present: Leader (member) of 7(12) projects funded by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in the scientific area: „Methods and algorithms for acquisition, processing and analysis of biomedical signals, data and images, and their realization by program and schematic solutions in electronic clinical and life–saving equipment”.

Implemented innovations

Implementations as a result of international collaboration

• [С12] Development of methodology and software for personal identification by the electrocardiogram (ECG), using a commercial diagnostic ECG module (ETM, Schiller AG) in combination with mathematical and statistical approaches for signal processing and decision making, Certified by the Signal Processing Department of Schiller AG, Switzerland, 2017.
• [С11] “Algorithm for detection of ventricular fibrillation during chest compressions” – software implementation in the shock advisory system of the Schiller’s Automated External defibrillators (PA-1 AEDs, DEFIGARD Touch 7 monitors) in a series production. Certified by the R&D Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France,2017.
• [С10] “VF/VT Detection Algorithm” – update and accuracy improvement of the shock advisory system of Schiller’s Automated External Defibrillators (Fred Easy, DG4000) in a series production, Certified by the R&D Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France, 2014.
• [С9] “Algorithm for Detection of Chest Compression” – update and accuracy improvement of the algorithm for detection of artifacts from cardiac massage, implemented in Schiller’s Automated External Defibrillators (Fred Easy) in a series production, Certified by the R&D Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France, 2014.
• [С8] Development of software and methodology in support of a heartbeat classification system, which is implemented in the Schiller’s arrhythmia detection module, used in the CS-200 Excellence diagnostic devices that are in a series production. The arrhythmia detection module is also planned to be used in Schiller’s new monitoring devices. Certified by the R&D Department of Schiller AG, Switzerland, 2014.
• [C7] Development of software and methodology in support of the lead quality monitoring library (LQMLib) as an automated diagnostic tool, which gives hints to the user concerning adequate lead quality and electrode misplacements within the first 10s of resting 12-lead ECG recording. It has been optimized and validated with clinical ECG recordings of more than 600 patients, and integrated in an official library version LQMLib-1.2.0, used in Schiller’s new diagnostic and monitoring devices that will be in a series production. Certified by the R&D Department of Schiller AG, Switzerland, 2014.
• [C6] Development of annotation softwares aiming at gathering about 40 parameters from the electrical recordings of automated external defibrillators. These softwares are prepared for the needs of a planned clinical study in collaboration with Schiller Médical SAS (France) and the fire brigade of Paris, aiming to survey, annotate and register about 3500 cardiac arrests per year, Certified by the R&D the Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France, 2010.
• [C5] Development of a software and a methodology in support of performed behavioral research studies with the device for Cardiac Compression Quality Assessment. The aim of these studies is to evaluate the interest of such a device in the series of medical devices developed by Schiller Médical SAS, Certified by the R&D the Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France
• [C4] Development of a device for Cardiac Compression Quality Assessment, on the way to be manufactured industrially, Certified by the R&D the Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France,
• [C3] “VF/VT detection algorithm” – Software Implementation in the shock advisory system of Schiller’s Automated External Defibrillators DG4000 that are in a series production, Certified by the R&D the Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France,
• [C2] “Filtering of 16.7 Hz interference” – Software Implementation in the shock advisory system of Schiller’s Automated External Defibrillators FRED EASY that are in a series production, Certified by the R&D the Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France,
• [C1] Implementation of ‘Pulsed Biphasic Waveforms’ in the Defibrillation Module of Schiller’s defibrillators FRED, FRED EASY, FRED EASY PORT, DG5000, DG4000, ARGUS PRO LIFECARE, that are in a series production, Certified by the R&D the Department of Schiller Médical SAS, France, 2009.

Implementations as a result of development of projects in Bulgaria

• 2018: Development of 16-channel high resolution ECG prototype (24-bit, 2kHz) for accurate recording of ECG signals with application to personal verification/identification. Funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund under grant № Т02/101/12.12.2014, 2014-2018.
• 2013: Development of computer system for automated prediction of the weaning outcome of critically ill patients during transition from full to partial ventilator support, implementation and testing by clinicians from the Central intensive care unit, University emergency hospital „N.I. Pirogov”, funded by the National Science Research Fund, project №TK02-451/2009, 2009-2013.
• 2009: Development of measurement equipment for recording of defibrillation pulses and transthoracic impedance (Defimpulse Recorder) and implementation in clinical studies during planned cardioversion in Intensive Care Unit, National Heart Hospital, funded by the National Science Research Fund under grant № ДО-02-170/2008: “Assessing the parameters of a shock sequence for successful defibrillation with minimum delivered energy to the patient”, 2008-2011.
• 2006: Development and implementation of a software system for synthesis of orthogonal VCG, funded by the Medical University – Sofia, Project № 6Д/2004: “Precise localization of the size of myocardial infarction using the synthesized high-resolution vector electrocardiogram”, 2004-2006.
• 2005: Development and implementation of a system for wireless ECG acquisition in cardiac intensive care unit, funded by the Medical University – Sofia, Project № 6Д/2004: “Precise localization of the size of myocardial infarction using the synthesized high-resolution vector electrocardiogram”, 2004-2006.

Scientific awards

• 2018: Publons Peer Review Award 2018 as one of the top 1% of peer reviewers in Assorted.
• 2017: Publons Peer Review Award 2017 as one of the top 1% of peer reviewers in Multidsciplinary.
• 2017: Best poster award in the international conference Computing in Cardiology (CinC’2017, 24-27 September, 2017, Rennes, France), for the study: „Biometrics via Spatial P-QRS-T Loop Features: Effect of Different VCG Transformations”, by the scientific team V. Krasteva, I. Jekova, R. Schmid.
• 2017: Best poster award in the 42nd annual congress of the International Society for Computarized Electrocardiography (ISCЕ’2017, 19-23 April 2017, St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA), for the study: „Human verification by cross-correlation analysis of 12-lead ECG patterns: Ranking of the most reliable peripheral and chest leads”, by the scientific team: R. Abächerli, I. Jekova, V. Krasteva.
• 2015: 3rd place in the 16th annual international competition: 2015 Computing in Cardiology/PhysioNet Challenge (event 1 „real-time analysis”, closed code) for „Reducing False Arrhythmia Alarms in the Intensive Care Units”, development of arrhythmia detection algorithm by the scientific team: V.Krasteva, I. Jekova, R. Leber, R. Schmid, R. Abächerli.
• 2015: Main prize Diskobolos 2015 in section “Health” for the achievement: “System for ventilator-dependent critically ill patients”, award of the Serbian Union of ICT, Council of European Professional Informatics Societies, European Economic Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Industry, World Information Technology and Services Alliance, International Federation for Information Processing, European Association of Healthcare IT Managers, given to the author team: M. Matveev, S. Hadjitodorov, L. Todorova, V. Krasteva, I. Jekova, P. Vassilev.
• 2007: Diploma for outstanding Scientific Achievements for Young Scientists by the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria: for series of articles related to „Bioelectrical activity of the heart and recognition of changes in the electric field of the heart dipole, reflecting life-threatening pathologies”.
• 2006: Diploma for Outstanding Scientific Contributions for Young Scientists by the Ministry of Education and Sciences, Bulgaria.
• 2006: Diploma ‘Marin Drinov’ for Young Scientist by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
• 2006: Diploma for Outstanding contribution in Cardiology for Young Scientists by the X National Congress of Cardiology: “Development of system for diagnosis of myocardial infarction”.

Expert activity

• Member of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, Republic of Bulgaria – Council of Ministers, since 2010
• Reviewer of projests in the Bulgarian National Science Fund
• Reviewer of >324 verified reviews in >62 International Journals международни, according to the database in Publons :

Professional Memberships

• since 2007 – Member of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria
• since 2001- Member of the Union of mathematicians in Bulgaria
• since 2000 – Member of the Bulgarian Society of Biomedical Physics & Engineering (BSBPE), partner of the International Federation for Medical and Biological Eng. (IFMBE).