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.