What condition is most likely diagnosed when both hypoxemia and hypercapnia are present?

The presence of both hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) and hypercapnia (elevated carbon dioxide levels) indicates a problem with gas exchange that typically occurs when there is insufficient ventilation. This can happen in various conditions, but in this context, hypoventilation specifically refers to a reduction in the volume of air exchanged during breathing, which leads to both hypoxia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia.

In patients with hypoventilation, the decrease in breathing depth or rate results in inadequate ventilation of the lungs, causing carbon dioxide to accumulate in the bloodstream while oxygen levels drop. This is often seen in conditions such as central sleep apnea or other states affecting the respiratory drive or muscular function.

While obstructive sleep apnea is associated mainly with intermittent hypoxia due to airway obstruction and does not typically cause persistent hypercapnia, it involves periodic cessation of breathing rather than a generalized failure of ventilation. Sleep-related hypoventilation may appear similar but is often a complication of other medical conditions and can be less consistent, depending on the patient's overall capabilities. Respiratory failure encompasses a broader spectrum including acute and chronic respiratory issues and does not singularly define the situation where both hypoxemia and hypercapnia are specifically caused by reduced