Fig. 1

Schematic representation of typical experiments. Rats were anesthetized with urethane, and a catheter was inserted in the femoral artery. EKG electrodes and VNS electrodes were placed. Autonomic/hypoxemia-induced VF and non-sinus bradycardia were studied. VF was induced in four ways, and attempts were made to convert VF with VNS in the presence of no drug or L-NAME and/or atropine