ECG leads/Location Flashcards
How many LIMB leads are there, and how are they labeled?
3 Limb leads.
I, II, III
What are the precordial leads?
V1 - V6
What do precordial leads look at?
These leads are crucial for providing a detailed and localized view of the heart, especially the ventricles, as they represent the heart’s electrical activity from different angles on the chest wall.
What does V1-V2 represent?
Primarily represent the right ventricle and interventricular septum
What does V3-V4 represent?
Primarily represent the anterior wall of the left ventricle.
What does V5-V6 represent?
Primarily represent the lateral wall of the left ventricle.
What is the significane and clinical relevance of V1? (4th ICS, Right sternal border)
Significance: Primarily monitors the right ventricle and the interventricular septum.
Clinical Relevance: This lead is critical in detecting right ventricular abnormalities and septal defects. It’s often used to assess for bundle branch blocks (e.g., right bundle branch block - RBBB).
What is the significance and clinical relevance of V2? (4th ICS LEFT sternal border)
Significance: Provides further information on the right ventricle and the septal region.
Clinical Relevance: Along with V1, V2 is key for identifying septal wall infarctions and bundle branch blocks. It can also help detect acute ischemia or infarction of the anterior wall in the left ventricle.
What is the signficance and clinical relevance of V3?
Significance: Primarily represents the anterior wall of the left ventricle.
Clinical Relevance: V3 is crucial in diagnosing anterior wall myocardial infarctions (MI). It is particularly sensitive in identifying ischemia or infarction in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) region.
What is the significance and relevance of V4? (5th ICS midclavicular)
Significance: Provides a view of the anterior wall of the left ventricle and sometimes the left ventricle’s apex.
Clinical Relevance: Like V3, it helps identify anterior wall MIs. V4 is important for assessing apical ischemia or infarction.
What is the significance and relevance of V5?
Significance: Primarily represents the lateral wall of the left ventricle.
Clinical Relevance: V5 is crucial in detecting lateral wall myocardial infarctions (MIs) and ischemic changes that may involve the left circumflex artery. It helps detect issues affecting the lateral left ventricle and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
What is the significance and relevance of V6 (5th intercostal space, midaxillary line)?
Significance: Provides a view of the lateral wall of the left ventricle, often complementary to V5.
Clinical Relevance: Like V5, V6 is essential in diagnosing lateral MIs, ischemia, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). It also helps assess left-sided heart failure and other lateral or apical conditions.
What are the 4 different types/locations of MI?
Inferior MI
Right Ventricular Infact
Anterior MI
Lateral MI
What ECG lead changes are associated with an anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI)?
ST elevation in V1–V4, especially V2–V3.
Rationale:
The Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery supplies the anterior wall of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum. ST elevation occurs due to ischemia and infarction in these regions. T-wave inversions or Q waves may develop as the tissue heals.
Which coronary artery is typically involved in an anterior wall MI?
The Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery.
Rationale:
The LAD is the main supplier of blood to the anterior wall of the left ventricle. If it becomes blocked, it leads to anterior wall myocardial infarction and characteristic changes in the ECG.
