cardioplegic arrest

car·di·o·ple·gic ar·rest

temporary intentional stoppage of electrical and mechanical cardiac activity, usually by potassium-containing solutions, used to protect heart muscle by decreasing its metabolic demand during open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

car·di·o·ple·gic ar·rest

(kahr'dē-ō-plē'jik ă-rest') Stoppage of electrical and mechanical cardiac activity, used by surgeons when operating on the heart.