Carotid Plaque Regression With Statin Treatment Assessed by High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The purpose of the study is to determine if short term (6 months) treatment with statins to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vascular disease patients with carotid plaque will be associated with a measurable reduction in carotid plaque volume using 3 Tesla MRI. The researchers will correlate the change in plaque volume to degree of LDL lowering. The researchers will also study if brief treatment will lead to change in plaque composition. The researchers will compare the change in plaque volume measured by 3T MRI with plaque burden measured by ultrasound.