35 / 56
The 12 Views of the Heart
43
Leads II, III, and aVF are called the
inferior leads
because they most
effectively view the inferior surface of the heart. The inferior surface,
or wall, of the heart is an anatomic term for the bottom of the heart,
the portion that rests on the diaphragm.
Leads I and aVL are often called the
left lateral leads
because they
have the best view of the left lateral wall of the heart.
aVR is a loner among the limb leads. It is the only true
right-sided
limb lead
.
Now is as good a time as any to memorize these six leads and their
angles.
Lead aVF
aVF
aVL
aVR
Lead aVL
Lead I
Lead aVR
Inferior Leads
Lead II
Lead
Angle
I
II
III
+0°
–30°
–150°
+120°
+60°
+90°
Lead III
Left Lateral Leads
Right-sided Lead
Of six limb leads, three are standard (I, II, and III), and three are aug-
mented (aVR, aVL, and aVF). Each lead views the heart from its own
particular angle of orientation.