an electro - stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat . the electro - stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat . a pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat . the pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve . a first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating . a second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating . in another aspect , the invention is directed to a method for arresting the beat of a heart in a living body comprising the steps of connecting the pair of electrodes to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat and supplying an electrical current to the electrodes of sufficient amplitude and duration to arrest the heartbeat . the device may also serve to still the lungs by input to a respirator or by stimulation of the phrenic nerve during surgical procedures .