ECG, Medical, 12 Lead ECG Placement Mnemonics

[Sahrish Dar]

12 Lead ECG Placement Mnemonics helps to remember placement of chest and limb ECG leads. Often the respective leads indicators are marked on chest leads. Limb leads are color coded and marked too. 

There are three types of ECG leads available:

• Banana Type
• Snap Type
• Pinch/Clip/Grabber Type

Banana Type leads are common with old pattern of ECG machines. Chest leads are marked with C1, C2 or like V1, V2. Todays leads also carries a color coding.

Snap Type is used very frequently and attached to the connector with a snap or button. Easy to use with disposal type of connectors and these are frequently used in ICU, NICU and Emergency deptts. Apart from color coding, often chest lead numbers are marked as V1, V2.. and Limb leads as RA, RL, LL, LA.

The other type is Pinch type ECG lead  and it has a  clip type mouth to connect to the connector. 

In most cases, the leads are numbered, so that you dont have to remember them. It is true for both chest leads as well limb leads. The problem arises when the numbers fall off due wear and tear or when not numbered at all. In this case the color coding helps. 

The 12 ECG chest lead standard color coding are like this:

With the help of color coding any lay man can place ECG leads without a mnemonic.