Euglobulin lysis time

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Euglobulin lysis time (ELT) is a blood test that looks at how fast clots breakdown in the blood.

Euglobulin clot lysis; Fibrinolysis/euglobulin lysis; ELT

The health care provider uses a needle to take blood from one of your veins. The blood collects into an airtight container. You may be given a bandage to stop any bleeding.

The laboratory specialist will run tests on the blood sample to see how fast blood clots dissolve. The dissolving of blood clots is called fibrinolysis.

No special preparation is usually necessary.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

This is one of the best tests to tell the difference between primary fibrinolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

The test can also be used to monitor patients who are on streptokinase or urokinase therapy for acute MI (heart attack).

Review Date: 03/09/2007
Reviewed By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.