What is the heart rate range for the AV node?

The heart rate range for the atrioventricular (AV) node is 40-60 beats per minute (bpm). The AV node acts as a critical electrical relay point between the atria and ventricles, playing a vital role in the heart's conduction system. While the sinoatrial (SA) node is the primary pacemaker of the heart and typically sets the heart rate between 60-100 bpm, the AV node serves as a secondary pacemaker when the SA node fails or if there is a block in conduction.

The intrinsic heart rate originating from the AV node is typically around 40-60 bpm. This slower rate ensures that, in the event of a failure in the SA node, there can still be some degree of cardiac rhythm maintained, allowing for continued circulation of blood, although at a reduced rate.

Understanding this range is essential for those entering the field of cardiovascular perfusion, as it highlights the intrinsic properties of the heart's conduction pathways and prepares you for scenarios where pacemaker function may be impaired.