Procedures
infection
CLOT, ADVERSE EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENT, INFECTION, BLOOD
Blood sampling took place at three time points: prior to randomisation and during infection (T1; between days 1 and 3 of admission), after intervention (T2; at day 14 after admission) and without infection (T3; > 90 days after admission). The blood sampling was done between 8.00 and 10.00 AM, before the morning aspirin intake in the twice-daily regimen group. Compliance of aspirin intake was checked via self-reports in research diaries, as well as via pill counting. Patients were instructed to refrain from smoking 30 min prior to sampling, to refrain from caffeine 2 h prior to sampling and to have only a light breakfast. Blood samples were drawn from the antecubital vein through a 21-gauge needle, first into a precursor tube, then into a sodium citrate tube, a serum clot activator tube, a heparin tube and an EDTA tube.The occurrence of cardiovascular events and other possible adverse events during the period of admission was continuously assessed by medical staff. If patients were discharged from the hospital, adverse events were monitored by the patients at home, and they were instructed to immediately report any event to the researchers.