TRENTON, N.J. ? Merck & Co. rested its defense Wednesday in a high-stakes Vioxx product liability trial – and none too soon for jurors, who apparently have been pondering how to wind down from the rigors of the seven-week trial.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday in the case, which centers on an Idaho postal worker who blames his heart attack on Vioxx.

On Wednesday afternoon, when the last witness finished his testimony, the jurors retired to a room to see if any had questions for Dr. John Michael Gaziano, a cardiologist who had spent the day on the stand.

Gaziano, a Harvard Medical School professor retained by Merck as a consultant, testified that he believes there is no link between Vioxx and heart attacks, even with long-term use. He said use of low doses of Cox-2 inhibitors confers no more risk to users than dummy pills. Those drugs block the Cox-2 enzyme, which promotes inflammation, but protect the stomach lining, unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs.

Gaziano said there is no proof that either short-term or long-term use of the now-withdrawn pain-killer leads to increased risk of serious cardiovascular complications.