Ventricular escape beat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject.
Please help improve the article with a good introductory style.

This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject.
Please help recruit one or improve this article yourself. See the talk page for details.
Please consider using {{Expert-subject}} to associate this request with a WikiProject

A ventricular escape beat is a heart rhythm finding, discovered on EKG, that indicates the normal electrical conduction system of the heart is disrupted or performing inadequately.

More specifically, it is an ectopic beat that occurs after an extended pause in a rhythm, indicating either the failure of the SA node to initiate a beat or the failure of the conduction of this beat to the AV node. While the SA node typically initiates a rate of 70 beats per minute (BPM), the AV node is usually only capable of generating a rhythm at 40-60 BPM. If the AV node does not receive a signal from the SA node after a second or two, the AV node's pacemaking activity kicks in (as a safety mechanism), and attempts to set the rate around 40 BPM.

If there are only one or two ectopic beats, they are considered escape beats. If this causes a semi-normal rhythm to arise it is considered an idioventricular rhythm.

The escape arrhythmia is a compensatory mechanism that indicates a serious underlying problem with the SA node or conduction system (commonly due to heart attack or medication side effect) , and because of its low rate, it can cause a drop in blood pressure.

An escape rhythm may develop if another pacemaker takes over.