Dexmedetomidine modulates gut microbiota and improves long-term survival in sepsis patients with pre-existing malignancies: a propensity-matched analysis

Dexmedetomidine sedation is associated with a significant 5-year survival benefit in mechanically ventilated sepsis patients, particularly among those with malignancies or factors predisposing to gut dysbiosis. The observed modulation of the gut microbiome toward a more symbiotic state provides a plausible mechanistic insight into these clinical findings, highlighting a potential role for microbiota-centric strategies in critical care.