Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous composition and its use for dissolving blood clots in vivo or in clinical or research samples in vitro, said composition comprising at least one chaotropic agent, at least one chelating agent that complexes iron if the chaotropic agent does not complex iron and at least one surface-active emulsifier, the composition being buffered near pH 7.4. The process of dissolving the clot with the aqueous composition is advantageous because it is simple, inexpensive, rapid and can be applied in a variety of contexts, including basic research and clinical situations.