What is the intrinsic rate of the Purkinje system in ventricular escape rhythms?

The intrinsic rate of the Purkinje system, which is responsible for initiating ventricular escape rhythms, typically ranges from 20 to 40 beats per minute. This lower rate reflects the inherent pacing ability of the Purkinje fibers when higher pacemakers like the sinoatrial node or the atrioventricular node fail to function properly. In such circumstances, the Purkinje system takes over to ensure some level of cardiac activity, albeit at a significantly reduced heart rate. Understanding this range is crucial for recognizing the physiological mechanisms at play during bradycardic conditions and can aid clinicians in assessing the severity of a patient's condition when such escape rhythms are present.