The effect of 8‐Br with or without ESI‐09, H‐89 and PKI on RPP recovery after I/R. For clarity, RPP is expressed as percentage of the initial value measured at the end of equilibration period prior to any intervention. Panel A – Groups of hearts: Control, n = 7; 8‐Br, n = 7; ESI‐09, n = 7; 8‐Br + ESI‐09, n = 7; 8‐Br + H‐89, n = 6. Pretreatment of hearts with 8‐Br (5 μM) fully restored RPP after 30 min global ischaemia and 60 min reperfusion, but ESI‐09 (1 μM) and H‐89 (10 μM) abolished this effect. Perfusion of hearts with ESI‐09 alone had no effect on the RPP recovery. Panel B – Groups of hearts: Control, n = 7; 8‐Br, n = 7; PKI, n = 5; 8‐Br + PKI, n = 5. Pretreatment of hearts with 8‐Br (10 μM, n = 7) fully restored RPP, but PKI (3 μM, n = 5) inhibited this effect. Perfusion of hearts with PKI alone had no effect on the RPP recovery. *P < 0.05, significantly different from control; #P < 0.05, significantly different from 8‐Br.