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.

Methods: 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.

Conclusions: 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.