The inferior view of the heart is obtained using which of the following leads?

• A. Lead II, III, and aVF
• B. Lead I
• C. Lead aVL
• D. Lead V5

Answer: (A)

The view of a specific heart surface on an ECG depends on the orientation of the leads. The inferior surface is best seen by the limb leads that look up from below—the inferior leads. These leads are positioned to detect electrical activity moving toward them from the heart’s bottom, so the inferior wall’s activity (and any injury there) shows up most clearly in them. That’s why changes from an inferior infarct typically appear in the inferior leads: the inferior wall is captured by these leads, specifically the ones collectively known as the inferior limb leads.

The other choices point to regions viewed by different leads: the high lateral wall is seen by leads I and aVL, and lead V5 is a precordial (chest) lead that reflects the lateral and anterior–lateral regions rather than the true inferior surface. Therefore, the inferior view is obtained from the inferior limb leads II, III, and aVF.