*2.4. Blood Withdrawal*

Blood samples were taken at 12 different time points: 0 (before TFP application), and then 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after the application of the TFP (Figure 1). All blood samples were taken using the long-term catheter. The first 5–6 mL were discarded and afterwards an EDTA blood tube (9 mL S-Monovette®, Sarstedt AG&Co.KG) was filled. Then, the catheter was flushed with 10 mL Saline with 500 IE Heparin/mL (Heparinum natricum, FRESENIUS Medical Care (Schweiz) AG). Within two hours after withdrawal, the blood samples were centrifuged for 10 min with 2500 rpm. The plasma was aliquoted in Eppendorf tubes (Vaudaux-Eppendorf AG, Schönenbuch, Switzerland) and frozen at −80 ◦C until analysis.
