Idioventricular rhythm has a rate of

• A. 60-100 bpm
• B. 20-25 bpm
• C. 30-40 bpm
• D. 100-120 bpm

Answer: (C)

Idioventricular rhythm is a ventricular escape rhythm, meaning the ventricles take over pacing when the higher centers fail. The ventricle’s automaticity is slower than that of the atrioventricular node or sinus node, so the heart rate drops well below normal. The typical rate for this rhythm is about 30 to 40 beats per minute, which is slow but regular. This range fits the characteristics of a ventricular escape rhythm and helps distinguish it from normal sinus rhythm (60–100 bpm) and from faster tachycardias (around 100–120 bpm or more). A rate as low as 20–25 bpm would be well into deeper bradycardia and not the standard presentation shown here, whereas 30–40 bpm aligns with the expected ventricular pacing rate that defines idioventricular rhythm.