Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

Which leads record the electrical activity of the septal wall during a standard 12-lead EKG evaluation?

1. Leads V3 and V4

2. Leads V1 and V2

3. Leads V5 and V6

4. Leads II and III

The correct answer is: Leads V1 and V2

Leads V1 and V2 are positioned in a way that they effectively capture the electrical activity of the septal wall, which is the myocardium separating the right and left ventricles of the heart. These leads are placed on the chest, with V1 located at the fourth intercostal space to the right of the sternum and V2 at the same level to the left of the sternum. Their positioning allows them to monitor the flow of electrical impulses that travel through the interventricular septum. In the context of myocardial infarctions, particularly those affecting the septal area, changes in the ST segment or the presence of Q waves in these leads can indicate issues such as anterior septal wall ischemia. Therefore, in standard practice, V1 and V2 are utilized to provide critical information about the health of the septal wall and any potential pathologies that may arise in that region. This is why these leads are recognized as the correct choice for recording the electrical activity of the septal wall during an EKG evaluation.