Detection of ventricular arrhytthmias: "Evaluation of cardiac monitors and subcutaneous defibrillators"

Prolonged rhythm monitoring using a subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) has proven to be of incremental diagnostic value for a wide spectrum of indications, especially in patients with recurrent unexplained syncope. The aim of the present thesis (Part I) was to investigate the clinical value of ICMs as part of risk stratification in different patients with inherited and/or structural heart disease who are susceptible to sudden cardiac death (SCD) but who do not have a clear indication for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention. Furthermore, given the fact that the majority of patients with inherited and/or structural heart disease are young and do not require bradycardia pacing or resynchronization therapy, we wanted to investigate their suitability for a completely subcutaneous ICD system (Part II)

Lower plasma levels of selenium and glutathione in smear-positive tuberculosis patients in Malawi

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Coulomb drag at \nu = 1/2: Composite fermion pairing fluctuations

We consider the Coulomb drag between two two-dimensional electron layers at filling factor \nu = 1/2 each, using a strong coupling approach within the composite fermion picture. Due to an attractive interlayer interaction, composite fermions are expected to form a paired state below a critical temperature T_c. We find that above T_c pairing fluctuations make the longitudinal transresistivity \rho_D increase with decreasing temperature. The pairing mechanism we study is very sensitive to density variations in the two layers, and to an applied current. We discuss possible relation to an experiment by Lilly et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 1714 (1998)].Comment: REVTeX, 4 pages, 1 figur

Effective action of a 2+1 dimensional system of nonrelativistic fermions in the presence of a uniform magnetic field: dissipation effects

The effective action of nonrelativistic fermions in 2+1 dimensions is analyzed at finite temperature and chemical potential in the presence of a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the plane. The method used is a generalization of the derivative expansion technique. The induced Chern-Simons term is computed and shown to exhibit the Hall quantization. Effects of dissipation due to collisions are also analyzed.Comment: 12 page

The effective action of (2+1)-dimensional QED: the effect of finite fermion density

The effective action of (2+1)-dimensional QED with finite fermion density is calculated in a uniform electromagnetic field. It is shown that the integer quantum Hall effect and de Haas-van Alphen like phenomena in condensed matter physics are derived directly from the effective action.Comment: 10 pages, Revtex, No figure

Outcome of Insertable Cardiac Monitors in Symptomatic Patients with Brugada Syndrome at Low Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death

Introduction: There is limited data on the experience with insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) in patients with Brugada syndrome. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of ICM in symptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome who are at suspected low risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Methods: We conducted a prospective single-center cohort study including all symptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome who received an ICM (Reveal LINQ) between July 2014 and October 2019. The main indication for monitoring was to exclude ventricular arrhythmias as the cause of symptoms and to establish a symptom-rhythm relationship. Results: A total of 20 patients (mean age, 39 ± 12 years; 55% male) received an ICM during the study period. Nine patients (45%) had a history of syncope (presumed nonarrhythmogenic), and 5 patients had a recent syncope (<6 months). During a median follow-up of 32 months (interquartile range, 11-36 months), 3 patients (15%) experienced an episode of nonsustained ventricular arrhythmia. No patient died suddenly or experienced a sustained ventricular arrhythmia, and no