However, research has shown that the precordial thump releases no more than 30 joules of energy.

A precordial thump may be attempted only once during the onset of cardiac arrest.

The use of the precordial thumps technique has sometimes been shown in movies and television, usually in passing without any explanation.

In a normal adult, the energy range involved in the precordial thump is 5-10 times below that associated with commotio cordis.

If no defibrillator is available, a precordial thump can be delivered at the onset of VF to regain cardiac function.

The precordial thump is a medical procedure that may be used by healthcare professionals, to respond to ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia under certain conditions.

To perform a precordial thump, a highly trained provider strikes a single, very carefully aimed blow with the fist to a specific place on the patient's sternum.

Because a precordial thump can cause an arrythmia to change into asystole or a more lethal arrythmia, the procedure is no longer taught as a standard treatment.

While the patient went into ventricular fibrillation, the dangerous arrhythmia was terminated by Dr. Sones promptly performing a precordial thump which restored sinus rhythm.

A precordial thump may only be delivered if a cardiac arrest is witnessed (someone sees the patient arrest) and if the arrest is monitored (as seen on a cardiac monitor).

About 25% of patients in cardiac arrest who received a thump on the precordium regained cardiac function (Scherf and Bornemann, 1960); there is no evidence that the precordial thump improves recovery in unwitnessed cardiac arrest.

The precordial thump may be considered in those with witnessed, monitored, unstable ventricular tachycardia (including pulseless VT) if a defibrillator is not immediately ready for use, and it should not delay CPR and shock delivery.