Right-sided ECG’s or electrocardiogram (as opposed to the standard left-sided ECG) are used when a right ventricular infarct or MI is suspected.
They are considered the single most accurate rapid assessment tool in determining is a right ventricular heart attack has occurred and are 90% sensitive and specific for this condition.
Because right-sided ECG’s are not as frequently used as the standard, left-sided ECG there is often confusion about where the chest leads are placed. The key fact to remember is that the positions of V1 and V2 are the same for both left and right-sided ECG’s.
Leads V3-V6 are placed along the right anterior chest wall in a mirror position as the V3-V6 leads in a normal left-sided ECG.
V1 for both right and left-sided ECG’s is placed to right fifth intercostal space at the sternal junction and in both ECG’s V2 is placed to the left of the sternum at the fifth sternocostal margin.
