Patient description: A 46-year-old man presents with dizziness and frequent headaches. He has a family history of CAD, but no other cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus and is physically active. The patient's LDL-C and HDL-C levels were 545 and 53 mg/dL, respectively. His fasting glucose and triglyceride levels (85 and 158 mg/dL, resp.) were within normal limits. The patient reported no use of lipid-lowering medications. Neck auscultation revealed a systolic murmur 3+/6+ in the neck, radiating to the skull. Ultrasonography of the carotid arteries, revealed severe stenosis in the left internal carotid artery (LICA), as well as moderate stenosis in the right internal carotid artery (RICA) estimated between 40% and 50%. For the LICA, the peak-systolic (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) cutoff values were 208.5 cm/s and 54.5 cm/s, respectively; RICA PSV was 91.72 cm/s and RICA EDV was 37.37 cm/s. Plaque was observed in the anterior and posterior walls of the internal carotid artery and common carotid artery, which were characterized as bulky plates extending to the middle third of the internal coronary arteries (ICAs) and as predominantly echogenic and hyperechoic, with less than 50% of the area being echolucent with uneven surfaces.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Carotid Artery Stenosis Strokes Age ≥ 18 years of age. 2. Patient is currently on atorvastatin or simvastatin or rosuvastatin or statin naïve (no statins in the last 30 days). 3. The patient has unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis that is considered severe (carotid artery diameter reduction ≥ 70%) as defined by: 1. Peak systolic velocity of at least 230 cm/s plus at least one of these: 2. End diastolic velocity ≥ 100 cm/s OR 3. CTA showing ≥ 70% stenosis OR 4. MRA showing ≥ 70% stenosis 4. This stenosis has not caused any stroke, transient cerebral ischemia, or other relevant neurological symptoms in the past. 5. The patient's attending doctor(s) (PMD, cardiologist, vascular/neurosurgeon) AND the patient have decided to proceed with a CEA to treat the patient's severe carotid stenosis. 6. The patient has no known circumstance or condition likely to preclude 1 year follow-up or adherence to the study protocol. 7. The patient is independent in their Activities of Daily Living at baseline. 8. Patient has the ability to provide informed consent  Patient has underlying disease other than atherosclerosis (i.e. autoimmune disease, known active malignancy). 2. Patient has documented dementia or screens out based on abnormal Baseline MoCA (≤25) and AD8 (≥2). 3. Patient's life expectancy is < 12 months. 4. Patient has advanced renal failure (serum creatinine > 2.5 mg/dL) 5. Patient has evidence of severe congestive heart failure or has history of end-stage cardiovascular disease (e.g. CHF NYHA Class III or IV or unstable angina). 6. Patient has history of intolerance or allergic reaction to any statins (myotoxicity, hepatic dysfunction, rash, etc.) 7. Patient has received an investigational drug within 30 days. 8. Patient is pregnant or lactating. 9. Patient is currently taking any of the following which have been shown to interact with atorvastatin and/or simvastatin and/or rosuvastatin (as per current drug package inserts) Cyclosporine HIV Protease Inhibitors/Antivirals (e.g. rotanavir or plus rotanavir, tipranavir, lopinavir, boceprevir, saquinovir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, nelfinavir, efavirenz/tenofobir, atazanavir, simeprevir) Hep C Protease Inhibitor/Antivirals (e.g. telapravir) Antibiotics (i.e. cobicistat-containing products like Tybost, rifampin/rifampicin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin) Anti-fungals (i.e. itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole); *Gemfibrozil; Other Fenofibrates (e.g. Tricor, fibric acid) Niacin > 1g/day or statins in combination with niacin (e.g. Vytorin, Simcor) Colchicine Danazol Calcium Channel Blockers: Diltiazem, Varapamil