Arteriole — ECG/EKG Terminology

Definition: Small artery.

Key Facts

• Small resistance vessels that regulate regional blood flow.
• Major determinant of systemic vascular resistance and afterload.
• Constrict or dilate in response to autonomic and local factors.

ECG Connection: Afterload shifts can influence myocardial oxygen demand and precipitate ischemic rhythm changes.

Why It Matters: Hemodynamic stress may precede telemetry deterioration in vulnerable patients.