STRIDER Canada is a clinical trial to assess whether, in pregnancies with early onset intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) if sildenafil improves blood flow to the baby, improving health and thereby allowing doctors to wait longer for delivery. The increased awareness for the participant population is unique to this study as there is currently no drug treatment to improve outcomes for babies with IUGR. The only treatment that doctors offer currently is close monitoring of the mother and baby, and delivery timed carefully when the risk of the baby staying in the womb is higher than the risk of early delivery.
All of the STRIDER Canada Coordinating Centre (SCC) study team members are pleased to announce that STRIDER Canada is now fully operational at BC Children’s and Women’s hospital (BCWH). The process of identifying potentially eligible participants has taken place and the entire STRIDER Canada team is hoping to randomize the first member of the STRIDER Canada trial soon. This trial is an investigator-initiated randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial that will assess whether, in pregnancies with early onset intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR), sildenafil improves blood flow to the baby, improving health and thereby allowing doctors to wait longer for delivery. The treatment that doctors offer currently is close monitoring of the mother and baby, and delivery timed carefully when the risk of the baby staying in the womb is higher than the risk of early delivery. It is without a doubt that 2017 will stand out as an important year for STRIDER Canada.
The SCC team members will continue their efforts to maximize the success of the trial at the BCWH central site as well as providing support and resources to activate the remaining Canadian centres. With the SCC leading by example in British Colbumbia and focusing now on the screening of potential participants, the study team members will make sure that the other Canadian sites are adequately prepared to make STRIDER Canada a nationwide success. The unique design of STRIDER Canada incorporates the inclusion of a placental growth factor (PLGF) measurement as a means to assess participant eligibility. This further strengthens the desire to make STRIDER Canada a success as it will contribute an important participant population within the international consortium of STRIDER trials (Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands) final IPD analysis.
To read more about the trial or get in touch with members of the trial please visit the STRIDER Canada website at https://pre-empt.cfri.ca/STRIDERCanada