ABSTRACT
Total endoscopic left atrial appendectomy for non-valvular atrial fibrillation(Af) has been reported to be a safe and effective procedure to prevent cardiogenic thromboembolism and also discontinue oral anticoagulant therapy. On the other hand, open-heart surgery is generally indicated for valvular Af. We report the case of a 67-year-old male patient with valvular Af and recurrent episodes of cardiogenic thromboembolism who underwent total endoscopic left atrial appendectomy. He was diagnosed as having mitral valve stenosis and scheduled for surgery, but presented with cerebellar hemorrhage after warfarin was replaced with heparin in the preoperative phase. Consequently, the operation was cancelled. The case was considered as a good relative indication for total endoscopic left atrial appendectomy, which does not need a cardiopulmonary bypass, to prevent future cardiogenic thromboembolism. The operation was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful.
