Electrode Placement Limbs

Left Arm Electrode LA (L) Placement

A description of Left Arm Electrode Placement
Left Arm Electrode Placement.
The Left Arm Electrode LA (L) is placed above the left wrist if possible. It can be placed on the left shoulder,
if done so the right arm electrode should be placed on the right shoulder as well not on the right wrist. The
arm should be resting on a surface to avoid muscle tension.

Right Arm Electrode LA (L) Placement

A description of Right Arm Electrode Placement
Right Arm Electrode Placement.
The Right Arm Electrode RA (R) is placed above the right wrist if possible. It can be placed on the right
shoulder, if done so the left arm electrode should be placed on the left shoulder as well not on the left
wrist. The arm should be resting on a surface to avoid muscle tension.

Left Leg Electrode LL (F) Placement

A description of Left Leg Electrode Placement
Left Leg Electrode Placement.
The Left Leg Electrode LL (L) ) is placed above the left ankle if possible. It can be placed on the left thigh, if
done so the right leg electrode should be placed on the right thigh as well not on the right lower leg. The
leg should be resting on a surface to avoid muscle tension.

Right Leg Electrode RL (N) Placement

A description of Right Leg Electrode Placement
Right Leg Electrode Placement.
The Right Leg Electrode RL (N) ) is placed above the right ankle if possible. It can be placed on the right
thigh, if done so the left leg electrode should be placed on the left thigh as well not on the left lower leg.
The leg should be resting on a surface to avoid muscle tension.

Electrode Placement Chest

Chest Electrode V1(C1) Placement
A animated description of how to place Electrode V1 (C1).
V1 (C1) Placement
The 1st electrode to be placed is V1(C1). Place it in the 4th intercostal space on the right edge of the
sternum. Press play for more.

Step 1
Palpate the Jugular Notch

Step 2
Slide your fingers down until you feel a ridge (the Sternal Angle of Louis)
Step 3
Move your hand to your left and descend in the 2nd Right Intercostal Space.

Step 4
Move your hand down one rib in the 3rd Right Intercostal Space

Step 5
Move your hand down one more rib in the 4th Right Intercostal Space

Step 6
Place the V1(C1) electrode in the 4th Right Intercostal Space

Chest Electrode V2(C2) Placement

A animated description of how to place Electrode V2 (C2).
V2 (C2) Placement
The 2nd electrode to be placed is V2(C2). Place it in the 4th intercostal space on the right edge of the
sternum. Press play for more.

Step 1
Palpate the Jugular Notch

Step 2
Slide your fingers down until you feel a ridge (the Sternal Angle of Louis)

Step 3
Move your hand to your left and descend in the 2nd Right Intercostal Space.

Step 4
Move your hand down one rib in the 3rd Right Intercostal Space

Step 5
Move your hand down one more rib in the 4th Right Intercostal Space

Step 6
Place the V1(C1) electrode in the 4th Right Intercostal Space

Chest Electrode V4(C4) Placement

A animated description of how to place Electrode V4 (C4).
V4(C4) Placement

The 3rd electrode to be placed is V4(C4). It is positioned in the 5th Intercostal Space on the Left
Midclavicular Line (the vertical line that passes through the middle of the clavicle). Press play for more.

Step 1
Locate the V2(C2) Electrode in the 4th Left Intercostal Space.

Step 2
Descend one rib in the 5th Left Intercostal Space.

Step 3
Slide your hand to your right along the 5th Left Intercostal Space and stop on the Left Midclavicular Line.

Step 4
Place Electrode V4(C4) on the Left Midclavicular Line in the 5th Left Intercostal Space.

Chest Electrode V3(C3) Placement

A animated description of how to place Electrode V3 (C3).
V3(C3) Placement

The 4th electrode to be placed is V3(C3). It is the positioned Midway between V2(C2) and V4(C4). Press
play for more.

Step 1
Locate the V2(C2) Electrode in the 4th Left Intercostal Space

Step 2
Locate the V4(C4) Electrode in the 5th Left Intercostal Space on the Left Midclavicular Line.

Step 3
Slide your fingers to your left and position them Midway between V2(C2) and V4 (C4)

Step 4
Place Electrode V3(C3) Midway between V2(C2) and V4(C4)

Chest Electrode V5(C5) Placement

A animated description of how to place Electrode V5 (C5).
V5(C5) Placement

The 5th electrode to be placed is V5 (C5). It is positioned at the same level with V4(C4) on the Left Anterior
Axillary Line (the vertical line that goes along the Anterior Axillary Fold). Press play for more.

Step 1
Locate V4 (C4) Electrode in the 5th Right Intercostal Space on the Midclavicular Line

Step 2
Move your hand to your right on a horizontal plane with V4(C4) and stop on the Left Anterior Axillary Line.

Step 3
Place V5 (C5) here on the Anterior Axillary Line on a horizontal plane with V4 (C4)
Chest Electrode V6(C6) Placement
A animated description of how to place Electrode V6 (C6).
V6 (C6) Placement

The 6th Electrode is V6(C6). It is positioned at the same level with V4(C4) and V5(C5) on the Left Mid
Axillary Line (the vertical line that goes midway between the Anterior Axillary Fold and the Posterior
Axillary Fold). Press play for more.

Step 1
Locate the C5 Electrode on the Anterior Axillary Line next to V4(C4) Electrode.

Step 2
Move your hand to your right on a horizontal plane with V5(C5) and stop on the Left Mid-Axillary Line.

Step 3
Place V6 (C6) here on the Left Mid-Axillary Line on a horizontal plane with V4(C4) and V5(C5).

Electrode Placement Overview

Electrode Placement Overview
A 3D Representation of the 12 Leads Placement.
Electrode Placement Overview
This is the electrode placement overview. There are 4 limb electrodes (one for each limb) and 6 precordial (chest)
electrodes. Swipe text for next.

Precordial V1 (C1) Electrode

A 3D Representation of the Precordial Lead V1 (C1) Placement.
V1 (C1) Electrode
It is positioned in the 4th Right Intercostal Space on the Right edge of the Sternum.

Precordial V2 (C2) Electrode

A 3D Representation of the Precordial Lead V2 (C2) Placement.
V2 (C2) Electrode
It is positioned in the 4th Left Intercostal Space on the Left edge of the Sternum.

Precordial V3 (C3) Electrode

A 3D Representation of the Precordial Lead V3 (C3) Placement.
V3 (C3) Electrode
It is positioned midway between V2(C2) and V4(C4).

Precordial V4 (C4) Electrode

A 3D Representation of the Precordial Lead V4 (C4) Placement.
V4 (C4) Electrode
 It is positioned in the 5th Left Intercostal Space on the Left Midclavicular Line (the vertical line that passes through
the middle of the clavicle).

Precordial V5 (C5) Electrode

A 3D Representation of the Precordial Lead V5 (C5) Placement.
V5 (C5) Electrode
It is positioned at the same level with V4(C4) on the Left Anterior Axillary Line (the vertical line that goes along the
Anterior Axillary Fold

Precordial V6 (C6) Electrode

A 3D Representation of the Precordial Lead V6 (C6) Placement.
V6 (C6) Electrode
It is positioned at the same level with v4 (C4) and V5(C5) on the Left Mid Axillary Line (the vertical line that goes
midway between the Anterior Axillary Line and the

Left Arm Electrode LA (L)

A 3D Representation of the Left Arm LA (L) Placement.
Left Arm Electrode
The Left Upper Limb Electrode LA (L) is placed preferentially above the left wrist. If not possible anywhere on left
the upper limb. Avoid Bony Areas

Right Arm Electrode RA (R)

A 3D Representation of the Right Arm RA (R) Placement.
Right Arm Electrode
The Right Upper Limb Electrode RA (R) is placed preferentially above the right wrist. If not possible anywhere on the
right upper limb. Avoid bony areas

Right Leg Electrode RL (N)

A 3D Representation of the Right Leg Electrode RL (N) Placement.
Right Leg Electrode
The Right Lower Limb Electrode RL (N) is placed preferentially above the ankle. If not possible anywhere on the right
lower limb. Avoid bony areas.

Left Leg Electrode LL (F)

A 3D Representation of the Left Leg Electrode LL (F) Placement.
Left Leg Electrode
The Left Lower Limb Electrode LL (F) is placed preferentially above the ankle. If not possible anywhere on the left
lower limb. Avoid bony areas.

ECG 12 leads heart projection

12 Leads Overview
A 3D representation of the 12 leads perspectives.
12 Leads Overview
Each lead records a trace of the cardiac activity seen from a different angle. The leads are grouped in 2 planes a
horizontal plane group (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) and a frontal plane group (aVL, aVR, aVF, I, II, III). The planes
intersection will give a 3D view of the heart. Turn Landscape for ECG strip
Septal Leads
A 3D representation of the Septal leads perspectives.
Septal Leads
Lesions of the septal wall (Interventricular Septum) are reflected in Leads V1 and V2, therefore they are named
Septal Leads . The Interventricular Septum is the area that is shared by the left and the right ventricles. Turn
Landscape for ECG strip

Anterior Leads
A 3D representation of the Anterior leads perspectives.
Anterior Leads
Lesions of the apex of the heart, often accompanied by a part of the anterior and septal walls are reflected in Leads
V3 and V4, therefore they are named Anterior Leads. Turn Landscape for ECG strip

Lateral Leads
A 3D representation of the Lateral leads perspectives.
Lateral Leads
Lesions of the left ventricular lateral wall are reflected in Leads I, aVL, V5, V6, therefore they are named Lateral
Leads. Turn Landscape for ECG strip

Inferior Leads
A 3D representation of the Inferior leads perspectives.
Inferior Leads
Lesions of the Inferior wall, sometimes accompanied by the inferior part of the interventricular septal wall are
reflected in Leads III, aVF and II, therefore they are named Inferior Leads. Turn Landscape for ECG strip

Lead aVR
A 3D representation of the lead aVR perspective.
Lead aVR
It is oriented towards the right upper side of the heart. It is often ignored because it is not usually used in the
recognition of Myocardial Infarction. Some studies show that it may be useful in the assessment of acute anterior
myocardial infarction [1], [2]. Turn Landscape for ECG strip

(Phalen & Aehlert, 2012)

Why 10 Electrodes and 12 Leads

Why 12 Leads
A general description of how the Frontal Leads are formed
Why 12 Leads
Because 3 limb electrodes ( RA (R), LA(L) and LL (F) ) will generate the 6 Frontal Leads.
3 Bipolar Leads (I, II, III)
3 Unipolar Leads (aVL, aVF, aVR)

What is an ECG Lead

A animated description of how the ECG Lead reads a signal.
What is an ECG Lead
The ECG Lead is a trace of the heart's electrical activity, seen from a specific angle. It uses 2 electrodes to generate
the reading. An Indifferent Electrode and an Exploring Electrode. Press play for more

Animation 1
 The ECG Identifies any differences between the 2 electrodes. If the wave of depolarization will move
towards the Exploring Electrode (+) an upwards deflection will be recorded

Animation 2
If the Wave of Depolarization will move away from the Exploring Electrode (+) and will move towards the
Indifferent Electrode (-) a downwards deflection will be recorded.

Bipolar Lead I
A description about how the Lead I is generated.
Bipolar Lead I
Lead I is called a Bipolar Lead. It is generated by 2 physical electrodes. LA(L) - the Exploring Electrode (+) and RA(R) -
the Indifferent Electrode (-).

Bipolar Lead II
A description about how the Lead II is generated.
Bipolar Lead II
Lead II is called a Bipolar Lead. It is generated by 2 physical electrodes. LL(F) - the Exploring Electrode (+) and RA(R) -
the Indifferent Electrode (-).

Bipolar Lead III

A description about how the Lead III is generated.
Bipolar Lead III
Lead III is called a Bipolar Lead. It is generated by 2 physical electrodes. LL(F) - the Exploring Electrode (+) and LA(L) -
the Indifferent Electrode (-).

Bipolar Lead aVL

A description about how the Lead aVL is generated.
Augmented Lead aVL
Lead aVL is called an Augmented Lead. It is generated by one physical Exploring Electrode (+) represented by LA (L),
and a virtual Indifferent electrode (-) formed by RA (R) and LL (F).

Bipolar Lead aVR

A description about how the Lead aVR is generated.
Augmented Lead aVR
Lead aVR is called an Augmented Lead. It is generated by one physical Exploring Electrode (+) represented by RA (R),
and a virtual Indifferent Electrode (-) formed by LA (L) and LL (F).

Bipolar Lead aVF

A description about how the Lead aVF is generated.
Augmented Lead aVF
Lead aVF is called an Augmented Lead. It is generated by one physical Exploring Electrode (+) represented by LL (F),
and a virtual Indifferent Electrode (-) formed by LA (L) and RA (R).

Bibliography
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& Clinical Cardiology, e36–e44.

Vikas, T., & Anunay, G. (2015). Utility of lead aVR. J Pract Cardiovasc Sci [serial online] , 76-77.

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Cover.

cablesandsensors. (n.d.). www.cablesandsensors.com/pages/12-lead-ecg-placement-guide-with-

illustrations. Retrieved from https://www.cablesandsensors.com/pages/12-lead-ecg-placement-
guide-with-illustrations

Edggett, C., Eldridge, J., & Richley, D. (2014). Clinical Guidelines by Consensus Recording a standard 12-lead
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