Definition & Meaning of "precordial thump"

What is a "precordial thump"?

A precordial thump is an emergency procedure where a strong blow is delivered to the chest over the heart to attempt to restore a normal heart rhythm in cases where the heart suddenly stops beating. It is a method used when other advanced cardiac life support measures are not immediately available or possible. The goal is to create enough force to potentially restart the heart's electrical activity and restore a normal heartbeat. However, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of this procedure can vary, and it is not always successful in restoring normal heart rhythm.