[Less Invasive Surgical Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage for Cardiogenic Cerebral Embolism in a Patient with Dilated Cardiomyopathy].

ABSTRACT

Less invasive surgical closure of the left atrial appendage is recommended to prevent cardiogenic thromboembolism in patients with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation( Af) and other high-risk cardiac diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We report a case of a 57-year-old man with Af and DCM. Catheter ablation for Af was contraindicated in this patient with a history of cardiogenic thromboembolism, and anticoagulation therapy was initiated. Despite anticoagulation therapy, the patient developed another ischemic stroke and we administered aggressive anticoagulation therapy resulting in successful resolution of the left atrial appendage thrombus. Less invasive surgical closure of the left atrial appendage was successfully performed, and thromboembolism has not recurred for one year postoperatively.