Which rhythm is an escape rhythm from the AV node with rate typically 60-100 bpm and P waves may be hidden or inverted?

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Multiple Choice

Which rhythm is an escape rhythm from the AV node with rate typically 60-100 bpm and P waves may be hidden or inverted?

An escape rhythm from the AV node occurs when the higher pacing centers fail and the AV node takes over to maintain rhythm. When the pacemaker is in the AV node, the rate is typically in the 60–100 bpm range, which is why this pattern is called an accelerated junctional rhythm. The atrial depolarization can be retrograde relative to the ventricles, so the P waves may be hidden in the QRS or appear inverted after the QRS, rather than appearing before the QRS as in normal sinus rhythm. The QRS is usually narrow because ventricular conduction stays normal. This fits best with an AV nodal origin that accelerates the rhythm into the 60–100 range, rather than a slower junctional rhythm (40–60 bpm), chaotic ventricular activity like ventricular fibrillation, or a dissociation seen in complete heart block where the ventricles escape at a slower, irregular rate.

An escape rhythm from the AV node occurs when the higher pacing centers fail and the AV node takes over to maintain rhythm. When the pacemaker is in the AV node, the rate is typically in the 60–100 bpm range, which is why this pattern is called an accelerated junctional rhythm. The atrial depolarization can be retrograde relative to the ventricles, so the P waves may be hidden in the QRS or appear inverted after the QRS, rather than appearing before the QRS as in normal sinus rhythm. The QRS is usually narrow because ventricular conduction stays normal.

This fits best with an AV nodal origin that accelerates the rhythm into the 60–100 range, rather than a slower junctional rhythm (40–60 bpm), chaotic ventricular activity like ventricular fibrillation, or a dissociation seen in complete heart block where the ventricles escape at a slower, irregular rate.

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