[A case report of cardioembolic stroke following a successful Maze procedure and Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion for atrial fibrillation].

A 75-year-old woman presented with dysarthria and sensory deficit of the left upper and lower limbs. Brain MRI findings revealed a cerebral infarction in the right middle cerebral artery territory. One year prior to admission, she underwent a Maze procedure and surgical left atrial appendage closure to treat her atrial fibrillation, which restored her sinus rhythm. Consequently, she discontinued anticoagulant therapy two months before admission. However, transesophageal echocardiography revealed a left atrial thrombus, which was considered the cause of the cerebral infarction. Treatment with oral anticoagulants was initiated, and the left atrial thrombus resolved. There was no recurrence of cerebral infarction. Since left atrial thrombus formation can occur even after surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation, careful follow-up is required.