What are the chest leads in a 12 lead EKG?

What are the chest leads in a 12 lead EKG?

• A. V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6
• B. I, II, III
• C. aVR, aVL, aVF
• D. Lead I, Lead II, Lead III

Answer: (A)

The chest leads in a 12-lead EKG are V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6. These leads are designated as precordial leads and are placed on the chest to provide a view of the heart’s electrical activity from different angles in the horizontal plane.

Specifically, V1 is placed in the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border, and V2 is in the fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border. V3 is positioned between V2 and V4, which is placed in the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line. V5 is located at the same horizontal level as V4 but moves laterally to the anterior axillary line, while V6 is positioned in line with V5 at the midaxillary line. The arrangement of these leads is crucial because it allows for a comprehensive assessment of the heart's anterior, lateral, and septal walls, thus facilitating accurate diagnoses of various cardiac conditions.

The other options refer to limb leads or augmented leads, which are important but do not include the chest leads. Understanding the distinction between these lead types is essential for interpreting EKGs effectively.