Dextrans as anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents: protocol for a scoping review

Haemostasis, a process involving platelet activation, platelet aggregation and coagulation, poses intricate clinical challenges for clinicians. There remains significant national variability in thromboprophylaxis protocols, which are used in 77-82% of surgical cases in Australia. There is also increasing concern focused on the development of antiplatelet resistance. Given an apparent lack of standardised approaches to haemostasis, these decisions frequently require clinician discretion and can result in suboptimal outcomes. To optimise patient management, all available therapeutic agents should be considered. Current standards may need to be revised accordingly.Dextrans are polysaccharides with perioperative significance in haemostasis. Although the proposed mechanisms of dextran action are multifactorial, these agents may have a significant impact in cases of trauma, reconstructive surgery, transplantation and vascular surgery. However, a suspected deficit in the quality of the literature, and therefore clinical standardisation, raises concerns for optimal incorporation into practice.Accordingly, we plan to examine both peer-reviewed articles and 'grey' literature that considers the indications, efficacy and complications associated with the clinical use of dextrans to promote haemostasis. The primary objective of this scoping review will be to analyse and map the existing literature on the use of dextrans in both operative and non-operative settings and provide insight that will bridge the current knowledge gap and guide future research initiatives.

The study and literature search will be performed in accordance with recommendations adapted for scoping reviews in alignment with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews standards. A thorough and systematic investigation will be undertaken across several electronic databases, including EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE; additional studies will be accessed and examined by reference tracking. All relevant research published before 11 March 2024 will be reviewed for appropriateness of inclusion. Two researchers will perform data screening and extraction of relevant information. Study observations will be presented in a descriptive manner using a mixed methods and narrative approach.

Ethics approval was not required for this study. The results will be disseminated through publication in open-access peer-reviewed journals, established professional networks and conference presentations.