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Register NowEuglobulin Lysis Time (ELT)
Create a Free Account to View PricesTurnaround Time: 4 - 8 days
CPT Code:
85360
Test Type: 2 mL Plasma, frozen
Overview:
The euglobulin lysis time is a global nonspecific screen of the fibrinolytic system.
This is a semiquantitative assay. The diagnostic potential of euglobulin lysis times is limited by the extreme variation in lysis times among healthy individuals.6 Both hypofibrinogenemia and factor XIII deficiency may result in a shortened lysis time. In the case of hypofibrinogenemia, the shortened time is due to the decreased amount of fibrin to be lysed. In factor XIII deficiency, the clot is not stabilized by covalent cross-linking of fibers and can be readily lysed by plasmin. Traumatic venipuncture, prolonged stasis, or incorrect sample preparation may invalidate test results.
This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined, by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The euglobulin lysis time (ELT) test provides an overview of the fibrinolytic system function by measuring the time it takes for an in vitro clot to dissolve in the absence of plasmin inhibitors.6 The fibrinolytic system is initiated following activation of the contact factors in the coagulation cascade. Fibrinolytic system activation leads to the production of plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme capable of degrading fibrin and fibrinogen as well as other plasma proteins. Increased fibrinolytic activity is suggested by clot lysis that occurs in less than two hours. A shortened ELT result implies excessive fibrinolytic activity that may be primary or could be secondary to inflammation, malignancy, trauma, fracture, liver disease, or thrombolytic therapy. Clinical bleeding is a possible consequence of excessive fibrinolysis. Excessive fibrinolysis may result from increased levels of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), increased plasmin activity, decreased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), or decreased α2-antiplasmin activity. The effect of fibrinolysis is the production of plasma fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP or FSP) and D-dimer fragments. A prolonged ELT result implies a defect in the fibrinolytic system such as elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) levels, elevated levels of α2-antiplasmin, a plasminogen deficiency, or decreased tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) activity. The ELT may also be prolonged if the fibrinogen level exceeds 600 mg/dL. Inadequate fibrinolysis may be associated with superficial or deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, coronary thrombosis, transient ischemic attack, or stroke.
1. Adcock DM, Kressin DC, Marlar RA. Effect of 3.2% vs 3.8% sodium citrate concentration on routine coagulation testing. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jan; 107(1):105-110. PubMed 8980376
2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, Ng VL, Gottfried EL. Prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time due to underfilled specimen tubes with 109 mmol/L (3.2%) citrate anticoagulant. Am J Clin Pathol. 1998 Jun; 109(6):754-757. PubMed 9620035
3. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standardization. Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing and General Performance of Coagulation Assays; Approved Guideline. 5th ed. Villanova, Pa: NCCLS; 2008. Document H21-A5:28(5).
4. Gottfried EL, Adachi MM. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time can be performed on the first tube. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jun; 107(6):681-683. PubMed 9169665
5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, Norris WL, Doe RH, Ray H. Drawing specimens for coagulation testing: Is a second tube necessary? Clin Lab Sci. 1999 May-Jun; 12(3):137-139. PubMed 10539100
6. Adcock DM, Bethel MA, Macy PA. Coagulation Handbook.Aurora, Colo: Esoterix-Colorado Coagulation; 2006.
Bovill E. Systemic fibrinolysis. In: Goodnight SH, Hathaway WE, eds. Disorders of Hemostasis and Thrombosis: A Clinical Guide. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001: 249-255. Fritsma GA. Clot-based assays of coagulation. In: Corriveau DM,
Fristma GA, eds. Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Philadelphia, Pa: JB Lippincott; 1988:92-127.
Fritsma GA. Laboratory evaluation of hemorrhage and thrombosis. In: Rodak BF, ed. Diagnostic Hematology. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders;1995.
McKenzie SB. Secondary hemostasis and fibrinolysis. Textbook of Hematology. 2nd ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams and Wilkins;1996:501-534.
Smith AA, Jacobson LJ, Miller BI, Hathaway WE, Manco-Johnson MJ. A new euglobulin clot lysis assay for global fibrinolysis. Thromb Res. 2003; 112(5-6):329-337. PubMed 15041279
Collection Details:
Patient Preparation:
Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.
Collection Instructions:
Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube.
Citrated plasma samples should be collected by double centrifugation. Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples, except when using a winged blood collection device (ie, "butterfly"), in which case a discard tube should be used.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge for 10 minutes and carefully remove 2/3 of the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Deliver to a plastic transport tube, cap, and recentrifuge for 10 minutes. Use a second plastic pipette to remove the plasma, staying clear of the platelets at the bottom of the tube. Transfer the plasma into a LabCorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (LabCorp N° 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Freeze.