Use of vasoactive agents in non-cardiac surgery: protocol for a scoping review

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients undergo surgical procedures worldwide each year, and despite advances in quality and care, morbidity and mortality rates remain high. Perioperative hypotension is a well-described condition, and is associated with adverse outcomes. Both fluids and vasoactive agents are commonly used to treat hypotension, however, whether one vasoactive agent is preferable over another has yet to be explored.

METHODS: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) statement, we plan to conduct a scoping review of studies assessing the use of vasoactive agents in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. We will provide an overview of indications, agents used and outcomes assessed. We will assess and report the certainty of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS: We will provide descriptive analyses of the included studies accompanied by tabulated results.

CONCLUSION: The outlined scoping review will provide a summary of the body of evidence on the use of vasoactive agents in the non-cardiac surgical population.