Simple mechanical methods for cardioversion: defence of the precordial thump and cough version.

Part 8: Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

“…When administered for VF/VT or PEA arrest it was ineffective but resulted in no apparent harm. 352 In 3 case series [353][354][355] VF or pulseless VT was converted to a perfusing rhythm by a precordial thump. Conversely, other case series documented deterioration in cardiac rhythm, such as rate acceleration of VT, conversion of VT to VF, or development of complete AV block or asystole following the thump.…”

Part 5: Adult Basic Life Support

“…In 3 case series of asystolic arrest (LOE 4 119,122,129 ), the precordial thump, but not fist pacing, was sometimes successful in promoting ROSC when administered by healthcare providers to patients with witnessed asystole (some clearly p-wave asystolic arrest) for OHCA and in-hospital cardiac arrest.…”

Effects of mechanosensitive ion channels on ventricular electrophysiology: experimental and theoretical models

“…Systems‐level experimental models of mechanical termination of arrhythmias Precordial thumps (PT) have been part of documented European clinical practice for nearly a century (Schott, 1920), and they are still used for emergency resuscitation of victims of witnessed cardiac arrest (Caldwell et al 1985; Kohp, et al 2005). Initially described as an intervention to pace asystolic hearts, PT was subsequently applied to revert ventricular tachycardia (VT) and VF (Lown & Taylor, 1970; Befeler, 1978).…”