The Cabrera format of the 12-lead ECG & lead –aVR instead of aVR

The Cabrera format of the 12-lead ECG & lead –aVR instead of aVR

Standard display of ECG leads in the 12-lead ECG Numerous conditions which can be diagnosed using the 12-lead ECG require that ECG changes occur in two or more anatomically contiguous leads, which implies leads that are anatomically juxtaposed. The reason for this is simple. For example, if there is acute ischemia located in the anterior wall and there is ST segment elevation in lead V3, then there should also be ST elevation in either V2 or V4, because it is unlikely that ischemia would only be detected in one lead. Thus, leads V3 and V4 are anatomically contiguous, as are leads V2 and V3. You have probably noticed that the chest leads (V1 through V6) are displayed on the ECG paper in their anatomically contiguous order from right anterior (V1) to left lateral (V6), but regrettably, the limb leads are not. Instead, the limb leads are displayed in two groups of three: leads I, II and III and leads aVR, aVL and aVF. Figure 1 shows the traditional presentation of the 12-lead ECG. This p…

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