Catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome with Libman-Sacks endocarditis following eltrombopag therapy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura: A case report

Background Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease, with accelerated destruction of platelets, estimated to affect 1.6-3.9 in 100,000 adults every year in the European Union. Glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulins are common drug therapies. In refractory cases, drugs that enhance thrombopoiesis may be used. Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, known to increase platelet count in patients with refractory ITP. Thrombotic adverse events have been described in association with Eltrombopag administration. Case report A young female patient of Ethiopian ancestry with systemic lupus erythematosus, triple Antiphospholipid (APLA) positive serology and refractory ITP who received Eltrombopag and 2 weeks later developed catastrophic APLA syndrome with severe Libman-Sacks endocarditis of the mitral and aortic valves, multiple intracerebral infracts and arterial thrombosis of the left upper limb. Conclusion Eltrombopag is a salvage drug, used in refractory ITP. Thrombotic adverse events, some of which may be life-threatening, are a possible complication, especially in high-risk patients.

Automated summary

ITP is an autoimmune disease characterized by accelerated platelet destruction, commonly treated with glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulins. In refractory cases, drugs that enhance thrombopoiesis like Eltrombopag may be used. However, thrombotic adverse events, potentially life-threatening, can occur with Eltrombopag, especially in high-risk patients.