An idioventricular rhythm is characterized by a heart rate of what range?

An idioventricular rhythm is defined as a rhythm originating from the ventricles when the higher pacemakers (such as the sinoatrial node or atrioventricular node) fail to initiate impulses. In this scenario, the intrinsic pacemaking capability of the ventricular tissue takes over, leading to a specific heart rate. The typical heart rate range for an idioventricular rhythm is between 20 to 40 beats per minute (bpm). This range is considered slow compared to normal sinus rhythm, which usually ranges from 60 to 100 bpm, and reflects the lower rate of conduction inherent to ventricular pacemakers. Understanding this helps to recognize idioventricular rhythm on EKG strips, which is crucial for proper diagnosis and management in clinical settings.