What is the normal firing rate of the AV Node?

The normal firing rate of the AV Node is typically between 40 to 60 beats per minute (bpm). This is because the AV Node acts as a secondary pacemaker if the primary pacemaker, the Sinoatrial (SA) node, fails to initiate impulses. While the SA node has a firing rate of 60 to 100 bpm, the AV Node serves its purpose at a lower rate, which is sufficient to maintain some level of cardiac rhythm if necessary. This firing rate is crucial for the heart's electrical conduction system, ensuring that impulses are transmitted from the atria to the ventricles in a synchronized manner.

When the AV Node is functioning as a pacemaker, it may not initiate impulses fast enough to sustain an optimal heart rate during increased physical demands, hence the importance of the SA node primarily regulating the heart rate in a healthy individual. The other ranges listed correspond to different parts of the cardiac conduction system, and understanding these distinctions helps in diagnosing and managing dysrhythmias effectively.