8-3
5-Leadwire Electrode Placement
Following is the configuration per the American standard when using five leadwires:
RA (right arm) lead: on the right foreleg.
LA (left arm) lead: on the left foreleg.
RL (right leg) lead: on the right hind leg.
LL (left leg) lead: on the left hind leg.
V (precordial) lead: exploring lead.
The exploring lead is used for diagnostic purposes as needed. Otherwise, it may be left unplugged.
The chart below shows the label used to identify each leadwire. Included also is its associated color code per American
(AHA) and European (IEC) standards.
American Standard European Standard
Label Color Label Color
RA White R Red
LA Black L Yellow
LL Red F Green
RL Green N Black
V Brown C White
Lead Placement for Surgical Patients
The surgical site should be taken into consideration when placing electrodes on a surgical patient. e.g. for open-chest
surgery, the chest electrodes can be placed on the lateral chest or back. To reduce artifacts and interference from
electrosurgical units, you can place the limb electrodes close to the shoulders and lower abdomen and the chest
electrodes on the left side of the mid-chest. Do not place the electrodes on the upper arm. Otherwise, the ECG
waveform will be very small.
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