PhD defence L. (Luoshiyuan) Zuo

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation: 

Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition, and the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques is a major cause of ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Whether a plaque becomes unstable largely depends on its internal tissue composition. Using data from the Rotterdam Study, this thesis explores the natural progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in community-dwelling adults, identifies its risk factors, and examines its clinical outcomes.

The findings reveal significant interactions between different plaque components. Stable features, such as calcification, may promote the development of unstable characteristics, including intraplaque hemorrhage, thereby pushing plaques toward a higher-risk state. Lifestyle factors, including dietary fat intake, physical activity, and long-term blood pressure trends, were also found to influence the evolution of plaque components. Moreover, this research demonstrates that silent manifestations of atherosclerosis, such as undiagnosed myocardial infarction, are strongly associated with underlying cardiovascular disease and show notable differences between women and men.

In conclusion, this thesis enhances our understanding of the natural course of atherosclerosis and underscores the importance of early identification of high-risk plaque features and the prevention of cardiovascular disease in the general population.