[Carotid sinus massage - who is allowed to do it?].

Although carotid sinus massage (CSM) belongs to the basic knowledge of every physician, there are no universally valid and structured guidance on the nature of the implementation and application. We analyzed the existing guidelines and literature in light of who is allowed to perform CSM. In summary, there are two indications for CSM: As part of diagnostic tools to clarify underlying pathology of syncope CSM should be performed only by an experienced physician with ECG control and after sonographic exclusion of carotid atherosclerosis if no other explanations are reasonable. In case of supraventricular tachycardia CSM may be used by any physician without prior sonography of the carotids to terminate the tachycardia before any pharmacological strategies are performed.