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Figure 2 Protocol of studies to determine the effect of autonomic blockade on remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC). Trimetaphan (1 to 6 mg/min) was administered by continuous intravenous infusion to cause autonomic nervous system blockade. To determine the effect of trimetaphan on early and late protection by RIPC, trimetaphan was infused during the RIPC stimulus that was applied immediately (a) and 24 h before ischemia and reperfusion (IR) (b). Protocols (c) and (d) were designed in order to determine whether trimetaphan had direct effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) or the endothelial response to IR, respectively.