In brief

In brief

A-Maze-ing results. The Maze procedure creates a network of scars inside the heart. The scars prevent stray electrical signals from causing atrial fibrillation. In a study of 193 men and women with atrial fibrillation, 89% of those who had the Maze procedure as an add-on to a previously scheduled open-heart surgery were alive after five years, compared with 60% of those who didn't have the Maze procedure added to surgery (Annals of Thoracic Surgery, February 2009). The results suggest the benefit of restoring a normal heart rhythm if it can be done without the side effects that often accompany rhythm-restoring drugs.

St. John's wort warning. Millions of people take an extract of St. John's wort. Although most do it to ease depression, its uses extend to anxiety, premenstrual or postmenopausal symptoms, and beyond. Those who are also taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) may not be getting the full effect of the drug. A University of Pennsylvania study suggests that St. John's wort stimulates the breakdown of rosuvastatin, and so blunts its ability to lower cholesterol (American Journal of Medicine, February 2009). Earlier studies have shown that St. John's wort does the same thing with atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor, generic).

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