

These devices can produce artifact (interference) and cause problems with the readings. smartphone) are removed from the patient.

Patient Positioning for 12-Lead ECG Placement The negative pole of all 6 leads is found at the center of the heart. Like the augmented leads, the transverse leads are unipolar and requires only a positive electrode. Horizontal Plane (Transverse Leads)īy using 6 chest electrodes, you get 6 transverse leads that provide information about the heart's horizontal plane: V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6. RL doesn't come up in ECG readings, and is considered as a grounding lead that helps minimize ECG artifact. Keep in mind that RL is neutral (also known as point zero where the electrical current is measured). Hence it's called the Einthoven's triangle, named after Willem Einthoven who invented the first practical ECG. They also correspond with each other to form leads I (RA to LA), II (RA to LL) and III (LL to LA).Īs a result, they form an equilateral triangle. The principle behind Einthoven's triangle describes how electrodes RA, LA and LL do not only record the electrical activity of the heart in relation to themselves through the aVR, aVL and aVF leads. The Einthoven's triangle explains why there are 6 frontal leads when there are just 4 limb electrodes. On the other hand, the augmented leads-aVR, aVL, and aVF-are unipolar and requires only a positive electrode for monitoring. Leads I, II, and III require a negative and positive electrode (bipolarity) for monitoring. Vertical plane (Frontal Leads):īy using 4 limb electrodes, you get 6 frontal leads that provide information about the heart's vertical plane: In 12-lead ECG, there are 10 electrodes providing 12 perspectives of the heart's activity using different angles through two electrical planes - vertical and horizontal planes. Put simply, a lead is like a perspective.


However, there should be uniformity in your placement. The limb leads can also be placed on the upper arms and thighs.Chest (Precordial) Electrodes and PlacementĪdditional notes on 12-lead ECG Placement: In a 12-lead ECG, there are 12 leads calculated using 10 electrodes. To measure the heart's electrical activity accurately, proper electrode placement is crucial. It helps EMS and hospital staff to quickly identify patients who have STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction or in other words, heart attack) and perform appropriate medical intervention based on initial readings. The main purpose of the 12-lead ECG is to screen patients for possible cardiac ischemia. These electrodes are connected to a machine that registers the heart's electrical activity. These 12 views are collected by placing electrodes or small, sticky patches on the chest (precordial), wrists, and ankles. Think of it as 12 different points of view of an object woven together to create a cohesive story - the ECG interpretation. A 12-lead ECG paints a complete picture of the heart's electrical activity by recording information through 12 different perspectives.
