What is the heart rate range for a ventricular escape rhythm?

What is the heart rate range for a ventricular escape rhythm?

• A. 40-60 bpm
• B. 20-40 bpm
• C. 60-80 bpm
• D. 80-100 bpm

Answer: (B)

A ventricular escape rhythm typically occurs when the normal pacemaker of the heart (the sinus node) fails to initiate impulses, leading to the heart being driven by the ventricles' own pacemaker activity. This intrinsic ventricular pacing usually results in a heart rate that falls within the range of 20 to 40 beats per minute.

This heart rate is significantly lower than normal and is a protective mechanism, allowing the heart to maintain a minimal level of activity in the event that higher rhythms fail. Understanding this helps clarify that in cases of ventricular escape, while the heart is still able to pump blood, the rhythm is much slower than the typical rates one would expect from normal sinus rhythm or other higher-level pacemakers.