Ventricular Escape Rhythm


  • Today's Paramedic quote:

    Blood goes round and round; air goes in and out; any variation from this is bad. - Paramedic 101.

  • PARAMEDIC HELP

    • Paramedic Study Notes
    • Paediatric Emergency Notes
    • ECG Tutorial
  • PARAMEDIC INFO

    • Ambulance FAQs
    • Ambulance News
    • Anatomy and Physiology
    • Chest Pain
    • Emergency Management
    • Health
    • Laughter is the Best Medicine
    • Medical Disorders
    • Medical Eponyms
    • Medical Liability
    • Medical Science
    • Medical Signs
    • Medical Syndromes
    • New Technologies
    • Paramedic Case Studies
    • Paramedic Education
    • Paramedic Equipment
    • Paramedic Exam Preparation
    • Paramedic Jobs
    • Paramedic Skills
    • Pathophysiology
    • Patient Assessment
    • Real Paramedic Stories
    • Trauma Assessment

Ventricular Escape Rhythm

A Ventricular Escape Rhythm usually occurs when there is a conduction blockage between the atria and the ventricles. This results in the ventricle taking up the role of primary pacemaker. The ventricles have an intrinsic rate of 30-40 beats per minute, which act as a safety net, when the other (earlie pacemaker sites) fail to fire.

Ventricular Escape Rhythm ECG

Heart Rate: between 30-40 but may be lower.

Rhythm: essentially regular.

Pacemaker site: an escape intrinsic ventricular pacemaker.

QRS Complexes: wide and unusual in shape (greater than .12 seconds).

Ventricular Escape Rhythm Signs and Symptoms

These people usually are poorly perfused, but may appear relatively well perfused. In some instances, these people will have a very high blood pressure, as a result of the back-log of fluid within the circulatory system. These patients will identify symptoms such as: dizziness, weakness, chest pain, chest tightness, nausea, shortness of breath and sense of impending doom.



Copyright: Emergency Medical Paramedic 2010-2018. All rights reserved.
All information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Authors  Privacy Policy  Disclaimer  Advertising Policy  Contact Us  Our Goals