Objective To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on human carotid plaque by high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance imaging(MRI 3. 0T). Methods Forty patients with carotid artery plaque were treated with atorvastatin at the dose of 20 mg daily for one year. Changes of the artery plaques were observed by MRI,and the levels of blood lipoproteins and C reactive protein( hs-CRP)were detected. Results After the treatment with atorvastatin for 6 months and 1 year,the number and average thickness of plaques were reduced. One year after the treatment,average thickness of stable plaques dropped from (2. 41±0. 54)mm to(2. 17±0. 49)mm,and the size of the unstable plaques decreased from(2. 38±0. 89)mm to(2. 01± 0. 32)mm,with significant differences(P﹤0. 05). The levels of TC,TG,LDL-C and Hs-CRP were significantly decreased(P﹤0. 05)and the level of HDL-C was increased. Conclusion High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance( MRI3. 0T)can clearly display the components of the atherosclerotic plaque and the degree of artery stenosis. Atorvastatin exerts a significant effect on carotid plaque by promoting the regression of the carotid atherosclerosis plaque.