LECTURE: Vectors & Electrodes
3-Electrode System
- 3 electrodes: R-arm, L-arm, L-leg
- Monitors bipolar leads (I, II, III)
- Best results if electrodes placed on chest wall equidistant from heart (rather than specific limbs)
5-Electrode System
- 5 electrodes: R-arm, R-leg, L-arm, L-leg, chest
- Monitors bipolar leads (I, II, III) & unipolar lead (depending on brown chest lead position, V1-V6)
10-Electrode System (12-Lead ECG)
- 10 electrodes:
- 4 on all limbs (R-arm/leg, L-arm/leg)
- 6 electrodes on precordium (V1-V6)
- Monitors 12 leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVF, aVL, V1-V6)
- Allows interpretation of specific areas of heart: inferior (II, III, aVF), lateral (I, aVL, V5-V6), anterior (V1-V4)
Abbreviations: R, right; L, left