Which leads are associated with ST elevation in a STEMI diagnosis?

In a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), the presence of ST elevation in specific leads on an electrocardiogram (ECG) helps identify the area of the heart that is affected. Leads V1-V6 are considered precordial leads that record electrical activity of the heart in the horizontal plane, and ST elevation observed in these leads indicates damage in the left anterior descending coronary artery territory, affecting the anterior and lateral walls of the left ventricle.

When ST elevation is noted in leads V1-V6, it typically suggests that there is significant myocardial injury or infarction occurring in the region supplied by these coronary arteries. The specific identification of V1-V6 as indicative of STEMI is crucial for initiating appropriate treatment and intervention.

While other leads such as II, III, and aVF can show ST elevation in inferior wall injuries, and leads I and III can indicate lateral wall involvement, the focus on V1-V6 targets a more central area of acute relevance for STEMI in the diagnosis of affected regions in the anterior heart. This differentiated recognition is vital for diagnostic precision.