Aim To evaluate the therapeutic effects of simvastatin probucol and captopril on the atherosclerotic plaques with high-frequency ultrasound imaging. Methods 102 patients with atherosclerosis were randomly divided into 4 groups: the simvastatin group, the probucol group, the captopril group, and the placebo group. Both sides of carotid and femoral arteries were detected with a 4～10 MHz transducer and intima-media thickness (IMT)were determined. IMT of normal segment of each artery was defined as IMTa, the maximal IMT of each artery as IMTb, the mean maximal IMT of 4 arteries as IMTc, the maximal IMTc of 4 arteries as IMTd. The systemic examinations were repeated in 3 years after treatments. Results After 3 years treatment IMT values increased significantly in the atherosclerosis arteries (p<0.05). The change values of IMTa in control group (0.04±0.12 mm) was larger than that of the right carotid artery in probucol group (0.04±0.12 mm) and the left carotid artery(0.04±0.26 mm) and right femoral artery (0.03±0.23 mm)in simvastatin group (p<0.05). The pregression values of IMTb and IMTc in simvastatin group and IMTb in all therapetic groups were singnificantly lowered than that of control group (p<0.05). The pregression rates of IMTc in simvastatin group (0.17±0.12 mm)and captopril group (0.21±0.15 mm) were singnificantly lowered than that of control group (0.25±0.2 mm) (p<0.01). The pregression value and rate of IMTd in all therapetic groups were significantly lower than that of control group (p<0.05). Conclusions The drug theray can decrease the progression of atherosclerosis but had no effect on the normal segment of arteries. The high frequence ultrasound technique provides a reliable routine for monitoring progression or regression of atherosclerosis in carotid and femoral arteries.