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Euglobulin lysis time - Overview

Alternative Names

Euglobulin clot lysis; Fibrinolysis/euglobulin lysis; ELT

Definition of Euglobulin lysis time:

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

How the test is performed:

The health care provider uses a needle to take blood from one of your veins. For information on giving a blood sample from a vein, see venipuncture.

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.

How to prepare for the test:

No special preparation is usually necessary.

How the test will feel:

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.

Why the test is performed:

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).

Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Schafer A. Hemorrhagic disorders: Disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver failure, and vitamin K deficiency. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 181.

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