A 31-year-old man presents with confusion and Severe Anemia. Lab tests suggest hemolysis. What does the peripheral blood smear reveal about the underlying cause?
A 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department with confusion. He was found to be anemic with a hemoglobin level of 6.7 g per deciliter. Additional laboratory tests revealed an elevated indirect bilirubin level, an elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, and undetectable haptoglobin. A peripheral-blood smear was performed. With what underlying disease process is this form of anemia most closely associated?
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Acanthocytes, Decompensated cirrhosis, Hemolytic Anemia, Hepatic encephalopathy, Spur-cell anemia
