Medical device diagnostics are generally not indicated for mental and behavioral disorders related to tobacco dependence.
Diseases – see self-history – that can be or are a consequence of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries) – as a consequence of tobacco dependence – require diagnostic clarification according to the guidelines of Evidence Based Medicine.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the medical history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Doppler sonography of the vessels supplying the brain – Doppler sonographic evidence of stenosis (vasoconstriction), plaques (abnormal deposits on the blood vessels), or intima-media thickening/thickness (IMD; IMT) of the carotids (carotid arteries) indicates an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Exercise ECG (electrocardiogram during exercise, that is, under physical activity/exercise ergometry).
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI; examination method that can describe the risk of cardiovascular disease) – the test is considered highly specific and sensitive to detect peripheral arterial disease (pAVD)
- Spirometry (basic examination in the context of pulmonary function diagnostics).
- Measurement of arterial elasticity (ASI).
- Cardio-computed tomography (cardio-CT) – for early detection of coronary vascular calcification.
- Cardiac catheter examination
