Subsequent examinations are essentially of importance when arterial hypoxia (reduced supply of oxygen to the body) is present. Here, the goal is to clarify pulmonary or cardiac disease.Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification
- Pulse oximetry – measurement of oxygen saturation (SaO2) and heart rate with a special sensor, which is usually attached to the finger or earlobe.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording the electrical activity of the heart muscle).
- Echocardiography (echo; heart ultrasound).
- X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax/chest), in two planes.
- Pulmonary function test
- Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics.
- Computed tomography of the thorax / chest (thoracic CT) – for advanced diagnostics.
- Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal CT) – for further diagnostics.