Prolonged respiratory center depression after alcohol and benzodiazepines

A male patient was admitted to the hospital in coma and acute respiratory failure following the oral intake of benzodiazepines and alcohol. On the fourth day after admission, the patient was conscious, results of clinical examination of the respiratory system were normal, and pulmonary ventilation tests and blood gas measurements were within normal limits. However, mouth occlusion pressure and ventilatory response to CO2 were found to be markedly reduced. In the period of weaning the discrepancy between the normal clinical picture and blood gases and the laboratory findings of respiratory depression implies that there is a slowing in recovery of the respiratory center in this type of intoxication.