This trial aimed to find whether higher doses of statins produce additional decrease in inflammatory activity in plaques.

Atorvastatin 10 mg/day VS 80mg/day was studied. The effect on carotid plaques was studied. Macrophage activity in these plaques was studied by USPIO enhanced T2 MRI. (USPIO stands for serial ultra-small super-paramagnetic iron oxide.)

It was found that 80 mg/day atorvastatin decreases macrophage activity in plaques while 10 mg/day does not.

Thus high dose of statin decreases inflammation in plaques while low dose does not.

You can read more in JACC (2009;53:2039-50.)