Abstract: A cardiac sensing and pacing lead primarily for transvenous insertion in the heart and connection to a pacemaker or other measuring or stimulating device. The lead includes a triple electrode configuration wherein three electrodes located axially along the lead are connected such that the two outer electrodes are electrically connected together and to a suitable input port, and the middle electrode is connected to the same input port forming a shielded bipolar sensing element which when inserted in the heart permits strong near field sensing and excellent far field rejection of electrical signals. Epicardial and myocardial lead versions of the above endocardial lead are also described.