Transplanted hearts are expected to have which typical heart rate pattern?

Transplanted hearts are expected to have which typical heart rate pattern?

• A. Bradycardia around 40-60 bpm
• B. Tachycardia around 90-110 bpm
• C. Normal 60-100 bpm with stable rhythm
• D. Extreme tachycardia above 120 bpm constantly

Answer: (B)

Transplanted hearts are denervated, so they don’t receive the rapid autonomic input that normally slows or speeds the heart. Without vagal (parasympathetic) tone and immediate sympathetic Tone, the heart’s resting rate sits higher, typically around 90–110 beats per minute. This mild tachycardia reflects the intrinsic rate of the SA node and the lack of neural modulation, rather than a pathological fast rhythm. Over time some reinnervation can occur, which may gradually modify this pattern, but early post-transplant the expected pattern is a resting rate in the 90–110 range.

Transplanted hearts are denervated, so they don’t receive the rapid autonomic input that normally slows or speeds the heart. Without vagal (parasympathetic) tone and immediate sympathetic Tone, the heart’s resting rate sits higher, typically around 90–110 beats per minute. This mild tachycardia reflects the intrinsic rate of the SA node and the lack of neural modulation, rather than a pathological fast rhythm. Over time some reinnervation can occur, which may gradually modify this pattern, but early post-transplant the expected pattern is a resting rate in the 90–110 range.