WordNet
cardiopulmonary arrest
n. absence of systole; failure of the ventricles of the heart to contract (usually caused by ventricular fibrillation) with consequent absence of the heart beat leading to oxygen lack and eventually to death [syn: asystole, cardiac arrest]
Usage examples of "cardiopulmonary arrest".
No one knew Thomas well enough to notice how healthy and young he appeared compared to six years previous, when he had nearly lost his life to cardiopulmonary arrest.