Editing Circulatory system (section)

===Investigations===
[[File:Arteria-lusoria MRA MIP.gif|thumb|[[Magnetic resonance angiography]] of [[aberrant subclavian artery]]]]
The function and health of the circulatory system and its parts are measured in a variety of manual and automated ways. These include simple methods such as those that are part of the [[cardiovascular examination]], including the taking of a person's [[pulse]] as an indicator of a person's [[heart rate]], the taking of [[blood pressure]] through a [[sphygmomanometer]] or the use of a [[stethoscope]] to listen to the heart for [[cardiac murmur|murmurs]] which may indicate problems with the [[heart valve|heart's valves]]. An [[electrocardiogram]] can also be used to evaluate the way in which electricity is conducted through the heart.

Other more invasive means can also be used. A [[cannula]] or [[catheter]] inserted into an artery may be used to measure [[pulse pressure]] or [[pulmonary wedge pressure]]s. Angiography, which involves injecting a dye into an artery to visualise an arterial tree, can be used in the heart ([[coronary angiography]]) or brain. At the same time as the arteries are visualised, blockages or narrowings may be fixed through the insertion of [[stent]]s, and active bleeds may be managed by the insertion of coils. An MRI may be used to image arteries, called an [[magnetic resonance angiography|MRI angiogram]]. For evaluation of the blood supply to the lungs a [[CT pulmonary angiogram]] may be used. [[Doppler ultrasonography#Blood vessels|Vascular ultrasonography]] may be used to investigate [[vascular disease]]s affecting the [[venous system]] and the [[arterial system]] including the diagnosis of [[stenosis]], [[Ultrasonography of deep venous thrombosis|thrombosis]] or [[Ultrasonography of chronic venous insufficiency of the legs|venous insufficiency]]. An [[intravascular ultrasound]] using a [[catheter]] is also an option.