12 lead ECG depicting correct lead placement. (A) ECG recording. (B) Correct lead placements on chest and arms.
Allison V. Rosen1, Sahil Koppikar2, Catherine Shaw3, Adrian Baranchuk3
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2014.96
Volume 2, Number 3: 99-103
Received 03 09 2014: Accepted 20 09 2014
ABSTRACT
BackgroundElectrocardiography is a very useful diagnostic tool. However, errors in placement of ECG leads can create artifacts, mimic pathologies, and hinder proper ECG interpretation. This is the second of a two-part series discussing how to recognize and avoid these errors.
Methods12-lead ECGs were recorded in a single male healthy subject in his mid 20s. Various precordial lead misplacements were compared to ECG recordings from correct lead placement.
ResultsPrecordial misplacements caused classical changes in ECG patterns. Techniques of differentiating these ECG patterns from true pathological findings were described.
ConclusionAs in Part I of this series, recognition and interpretation of common ECG placement errors is critical in providing optimal patient care.
Keywords: Cardiology; Electrocardiography; Medical Errors; Precordial Lead Placement; Medical Education.
As discussed in Part I of this series, electrocardiography (ECG) has been established as a useful diagnostic tool.1–3 Accuracy in ECG recording, whether from trained experts or other medical professionals, is essential in order to reliably interpret medical information.4 If ECGs are recorded or interpreted by inexperienced individuals, results may be incorrectly interpreted, and patients may be treated according to false information.5–9 There are characteristic ECG placement errors that can be recognized, and the REVERSE mnemonic can facilitate recognition of placement errors based on abnormal ECG findings.10
Electrode misplacements have been shown to occur in as many as 4% of recordings in intensive care units.2, 11 When considering both limb lead reversals and precordial reversals, it is perhaps easy to imagine how limb leads might be mistakenly applied; all are long leads, and left and right sides might be confused on swift application of leads. Contrastingly, precordial leads are bundled together as a group. This explains the low frequency of limb and precordial lead reversals.12 Precordial errors isolated to the precordial leads are expanded on more in this paper, where we discuss complete reversals of leads V1-V6. Additionally, inaccurate placement of precordial leads poses a significant problem. Leads V1 and V2 can be placed either too high or too low, causing characteristic findings in each case.13 This type of error involving V1 and V2 occurs in up to 50% of ECG recordings.14
The purpose of this study is to review some of the most common recording errors. For the purpose of clarity, this work has been divided into two parts. Part I discussed limb lead reversals.2 Part II will deal with precordial placement errors.
The same subject was analyzed as in Part I of this series, by the same technician and with the same ECG machine (General Electric, Mac 5500, United States) set up at 150 Hz, 25.0 mm/s, and 10.0 mm/V (Figure 1).2 A series of precordial lead misplacements were conducted in order to recreate these classic patterns.
Figure 1.12 lead ECG depicting correct lead placement. (A) ECG recording. (B) Correct lead placements on chest and arms.
RSuperior placement of the V1 and V2 electrodes is a common error.15 The high position of these electrodes causes the R wave amplitude to decrease by approximately 0.1mV in leads V1-V2 along with poor R wave progression across the precordial leads (Figure 2).16–19 Furthermore, the key to detecting a high V1-V2 placement is the absence of a positive P wave in V2, accompanied by a biphasic P wave in V1 with a predominantly negative component. However, the negative P wave in V1 is noted to be more important for discrimination purposes than V2 findings.5, 20
Figure 2.12 lead ECG depicting V1 and V2 placed in the third intercostal space. (A) ECG recording. (B) Arrows point to reversal of leads on precordium.
These findings can mimic an anterior or anterowseptal myocar-dial infarction, however, a negative P wave in V2 in conjunction with a biphasic P wave in V1 is not common in acute coronary syndromes. Furthermore, misplacement of V1-V2 electrodes can be confirmed by recording normal R wave progression from lower locations on the thorax. If an anterior infarct was the cause of the poor R wave progression, it would persist in the lower leads.17 The superior placement of V1-V2 electrodes can also potentially mimic Brugada syndrome.13 Brugada syndrome is a potentially lethal cardiac channelopathy that presents with distinct patterns in the right precordial leads V1, V2, and V3.21, 22 The type 1 pattern has high sloping, coved type ST segments with negative T-waves. The type 2 pattern has high elevated, saddle back ST segments with variable or flat T-waves in V1 or V2. Brugada syndrome can be mimicked by a number of causes, including improper use of high and low-pass filters, and can be difficult to observe in patients with cardiac abnormalities such as arrhythmias,23–25 r’ waves in leads V1-V2,26 or pectus excavatum.27 As Brugada syndrome is potentially lethal, but also easily obscured by filters or other errors, it is important to carefully ensure none of these errors persist if the diagnosis is suspected.28 Brugada syndrome can be differentiated from electrode misplacement by noting an absence of the clinical criteria required for diagnosis along with a normalization of the ECG upon placing the electrodes on lower locations on the thorax.29, 30
Inferior placement of the V1-V2 electrodes does not produce a significantly altered ECG, and can go unrecognized in many cases (Figure 3). The major change noted is that the low position of these electrodes can cause the R wave amplitude to increase by approximately 0.1mV in leads V1-V2 per inferior interspace.17
Figure 3.12 lead ECG depicting V1 and V2 placed in the fifth intercostal space. (A) ECG recording. (B) Arrows point to reversal of leads on precordium.
Exchanging two or more precordial leads is another common error.31 The major finding in these errors is abnormal progression of the R wave in the affected leads (Figure 4). In a normal ECG, lead V1 shows an rS-type complex, with a steady increase in the size of the R wave and decrease in the S wave amplitude as it moves towards V6. Leads V5 and V6 will predominantly show a qR-type complex. However, in the case of precordial lead reversals, one or more electrodes have a marked deviation from this progression, and this standout area is representative of the misplaced precordial lead or leads.5, 20 In this specific case, the ECG shows an unexpectedly tall R wave in V1 and a deep S wave in V6. As these two leads do not follow the expected pattern, it should raise the suspicion for a V1-V6 lead reversal.
Figure 4.12 lead ECG depicting reversal of V1 and V6. (A) ECG recording. (B) Arrows point to reversal of leads on precordium.
On a quick examination of the ECG, a V1-V6 reversal can be potentially misinterpreted as a right bundle branch block (RBBB).5 However, a RBBB presents with a RSR’ pattern rather qR-type complex. Additionally, the lateral leads (I, aVL, V5-V6) may present with a wide, slurred S wave along with ST depression and T wave inversion in V1-V3, neither of which are observed in a V1-V6 reversal. A V1-V6 reversal can also be mistaken for right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH).5 While RVH has a dominant R wave in V1 and a dominant S wave in V5 or V6, there is also a right axis deviation, which is not observed in a V1-V6 lead reversal.
It is important to note that swapping of precordial leads with limb leads may occur, but is rarely noticed, since the physical bonds between the six precordial leads makes this misplacement difficult.31
A complete reversal of all the precordial electrodes results in the reversal of the R wave progression. The R wave will decrease its amplitude from V1 to V6 and the S wave will increase its amplitude (Figure 5). This is similar to findings in dextrocardia or a posterolateral myocardial infarction.31 Dextrocardia would present with inversion of P waves and QRS complexes in leads I and aVL, along with poor R wave progression. Precordial lead reversal can be differentiated from dextrocardia since limb abnormalities would not be found in the case of a reversal.5, 20, 31 A posterolateral infarction would present with tall broad R waves in V1-V3, upright T waves and horizontal ST depression. While tall R waves and upright T waves can be seen in the case of a V1-V6 complete reversal, the ST depressions are not present, and can help rule out a posterior infarct.
Figure 5.12 lead ECG depicting complete reversal of leads V1-V6. (A) ECG recording. (B) Arrows point to reversal of leads on precordium.
Precordial electrode misplacements can lead to morphological changes on ECG that could potentially be interpreted as pathologic. Common misinterpretations of precordial lead misplacements can be myocardial infarction, genetic channelopathies such as Brugada syndrome, bundle branch blocks or pathologies such as dextrocardia. Electrode misplacements are common in outpatient clinics and intensive care units.5 Interes-tingly, incorrect placement of specifically V1 and V2 has been estimated to occur in 50% of ECG recordings.15 The REVERSE mnemonic is a tool that outlines the most frequent abnormal findings on ECG.2, 5 Of note to our cases, reversal of precordial electrodes V1-V6 is identified in the mnemonic. Careful use of mnemonics such as REVERSE can eliminate errors in ECG recording and interpretation, leading to a reduction in false findings and an increase in diagnostic accuracy.
None.
The Authors have no funding, financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Conception and design the work/idea: AR AB. Collect data/obtaining results: AR SK CS. Analysis and interpretation of data: AR SK CS AB. Write the manuscript: AR SK. Critical revision of the manuscript: AR SK AB. Approval of the final version: AB. Contribution of patients or study material: SK CS AB. Administrative or technical advice: CS.
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Allison V. Rosen, 1 Queen's University School of Medicine, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Sahil Koppikar, 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Catherine Shaw, 3 Heart Rhythm Service, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Adrian Baranchuk, 3 Heart Rhythm Service, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
About the Author: Allison Rosen is currently in her third year of medical school at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Queen's Medical Review and an active member of the Class Council.
Correspondence: Adrian Baranchuk, MD FACC FRCPC. Associate Professor of Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University. Address: Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Kingston General Hospital K7L 2V7, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. Email: barancha@kgh.kari.net
Cite as: Rosen AV, Koppikar S, Shaw C, Baranchuk A. Common ECG Lead Placement Errors. Part II: Precordial Misplacements. Int J Med Students. 2014 Jul-Oct;2(3):99-103.
Copyright © 2014 Allison V. Rosen, Sahil Koppikar, Catherine Shaw, Adrian Baranchuk
International Journal of Medical Students, VOLUME 2, NUMBER 3, October 2014