asystole Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 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
    cardiopulmonary arrest; cardiac arrest.

WordNet

A*sys"to*le noun
Etymology
Pref. a- not + systole.
Definitions
  1. (Physiol.) A weakening or cessation of the contractile power of the heart.

Webster 1913