What is the primary characteristic of the ventricular rate in Atrial Flutter?

In atrial flutter, the primary characteristic of the ventricular rate is often described as slower compared to other arrhythmias, especially when considering its regularity. The mechanism involves the atria contracting rapidly—typically at a rate of 240 to 340 beats per minute—while the ventricles may not respond at the same rate due to the effects of the atrioventricular (AV) node, which only allows a certain number of impulses through to the ventricles. This can result in a ventricular rate that is often less than the atrial rate, frequently falling within the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute, depending on the degree of AV block and the number of impulses transmitted.

While atrial flutter can present with various ventricular rates based on individual patient factors and the ratio of conductive impulses, the more notable aspect is the tendency for the ventricular rate to be slower than the atrial rate due to the limiting nature of the AV node. Therefore, it is accurate to identify the slower ventricular rate as a defining characteristic of atrial flutter.