Key result
Precordial thump fails to cardiovert VF and offers limited benefit for VT despite appearing safe.
Why the study?
Does precordial thump or precordial percussion improve rhythm outcomes in patients with cardiac arrest?
Systematic Review
Does precordial thump or precordial percussion improve rhythm outcomes in patients with cardiac arrest?
Precordial thump is ineffective for ventricular fibrillation and has limited utility for ventricular tachycardia, emphasizing that cardiopulmonary resuscitation should begin without delay if the maneuver is ineffective.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
PT should not delay CPR/defibrillation in VF/VT; observational data leave open possible role in witnessed asystole.
Pellis et al. (2009) conducted a systematic review in Cardiac arrest and arrhythmias (VF, VT, asystole). Precordial thump and precordial percussion was evaluated. Precordial thump is not effective for ventricular fibrillation and has limited use for ventricular tachycardia, despite a good safety profile with 97% of cases showing no change or improved rhythm.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: