Objective To observe the influences of depolarized arrest and hyperpolarized arrest on alternation of fluidity of myocardial cell membrane during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and evaluate the protective effects on myocardium of hyperpolarized arrest. Methods Seventy-two felines were randomized into three groups, each group 24. Control group: 180 minutes of CPB was conducted without aortic and vena caval cross-clamping. Depolarized arrest group: hearts underwent 60 minutes of global ischemia after aortic cross-clamping (ACC) followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. The cardioplegic solution consisted of St. Thomas solution (K+16mmol/L). Hyperpolarized arrest group: the protocol was the same as that in depolarized arrest group except that the cardioplegic solution consisted of St.Thomas solution with pinacidil (50 mmol/L,K+5mmol/L). Microviscosity, the reciprocal of fluidity of myocardial membrane was measured in all groups by using fluorescence polarization technique. (Results )Microvis cosity of myocardial cell in depolarized arrest group during ACC period was significantly higher than that before ACC and kept on rising during reperfusion period. Microviscosity of myocardial cell in hyperpolarized arrest group during ACC was trending up and reperfusion periods as well, but markedly lower compared to that in depolarized arrest group at corresponding time points(Plt;0.01). Conclusion Hyperpolarized arrest is more effective in protecting myocardial cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury than depolarized arrest during CPB by maintaining better fluidity of myocardial membrane.