To my knowledge, the potential for a stroke associated with Afib is due to blood clots forming in the left atrial because it does not empty correctly since it is beating out of rhythm with the ventricle. The blood clot could then flow into places in your body causing a stroke because of blockage. PFA or other ablation procedures put your heart back into sinus rhythm which then removes the potential for formation of blood clots. The continuation of Eliquis or other blood thinner is a precautionary measure in the event you go back into Afib. When my cardiologist told me this I asked: shouldn't ever person over the age of 70 be taking a blood thinner since at this age they are at a higher risk for Afib? He didn't answer.