What is a possible cause of respiratory depression during sedation?

Respiratory depression during sedation can occur when a patient experiences apnea, which is the cessation of breathing for a prolonged period. Apnea can be a direct result of sedative medications, which depress the central nervous system and reduce the respiratory drive. During sedation, there may be an increased risk of airway obstruction, decreased responsiveness, or inadequate ventilation, leading to a decrease in respiratory effort. If breathing stops completely, oxygen levels in the body can drop, leading to serious complications. This is why apnea is a recognized cause of respiratory depression; it indicates an absence of effective breathing, which is critical to maintaining adequate oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal from the body. In contrast, increased airway patency, unobstructed airflow, and frequent deep breaths generally indicate that breathing is adequate and may reduce the risk of respiratory depression rather than contribute to it.