What is the heart rate range for Junctional Escape Rhythm?

In Junctional Escape Rhythm, the heart rate typically falls within the range of 40 to 60 beats per minute. This rhythm occurs when the normal pacemaker of the heart (the sinoatrial node) fails to initiate impulses adequately, leading to the atrioventricular (AV) junction taking over as the pacemaker. This junction has an intrinsic firing rate slower than that of the SA node, thus resulting in the described heart rate range.

Understanding this rhythm is crucial as it signifies a fallback mechanism by the heart when higher-level pacemaker activity is compromised. Typically, heart rates below 40 would be associated with more severe bradycardic rhythms or other types of escape rhythms, while heart rates above 60 would suggest normal or accelerated junctional rhythms, which would not be classified as Junctional Escape Rhythm.

The specificity of the 40 to 60 beats per minute range is key for accurately diagnosing and managing patients who may present with this condition in a critical care setting.