Aim To study the effects of two different dosages of atorvastatin on carotid artery plaque using color dopller ultrasound.Methods Newly diagnosed stable angina pectoris patients （n123） with hyperlipidemia and carotid atherosclerotic plaques were randomized to groups of 10 mg/d （n60） or 40 mg/d （n60） atorvastatin for 6 months. Carotid intima-media thickness （CIMT）, carotid artery pulsation index （CAPI）, and carotid artery resistance index （CARI） were compared.Results 10 mg/d and 40 mg/d atorvastatin reduced significantly CIMT and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDLC） versus baseline （P<0.05）. CAPI and CARI increased in 10 mg/d atorvastatin group, respectively. CAPI, CARI, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDLC） and high sensitivity c-reactive protein （hs-CRP） reduced in the 40 mg/d atorvastatin group.Conclusion 40 mg/d atorvastatin treatment can delay the progroression of carotid plaque, and may even reverse the carotid artery plaque.