Hemolytic anemia in hepatic disease with decreased erythrocyte adenosine triphosphate.

Erythrocyte adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was assessed in patients with hepatic disease who had developed hemolytic anemia. Erythrocyte ATP was decreased, and this finding documents another cause for hemolytic anemia in patients with hepatic disease. The decreased erythrocyte ATP is secondary to hypophosphatemia, which is a common biochemical abnormality associated with hepatic disease.