An analysis of 10 studies involving a total of 393 patients, published earlier this year in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, found between 26% and 83% of patients getting the new surgery were able to stop taking proton-pump inhibitors.

WSJ: New Surgical Option for Heartburn

Dr. Robert Michler, chairman of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Montefiore-Einstein Heart Center, said the data should act as a "wake-up call" for physicians, surgeons and patients.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS