Coagulopathies of various origins have been mentioned among the leading causes of morbidity in hospitals all over the world. Time-consuming coagulation assays delay the diagnosis and response to a dynamic pathology. The need to analyse whole blood for the accurate identification of coagulopathies has led to a revival of interest in thromboelastography (TEG). This simple test can be performed at the bedside using non-anticoagulated blood, and enables complex assessment of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of coagulation and fibrinolysis. TEG can be also used to predict postoperative bleeding and/or organ dysfunction. TEG has been widely used in research, but poor understanding of the technique has limited its clinical use. Controversies regarding the relationship between traditional tests and TEG have made the bedside use of TEG less popular than it should be. In the review, the authors discuss details of the process and practical aspects of its use in clinical settings.