Effect of buttonhole cannulation with a polycarbonate PEG on in-center hemodialysis fistula outcomes: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Quality improvement strategies to increase and maintain the numbers of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are a critical drive in enhancing the quality of care of patients receiving treatment with hemodialysis. How the AVF is needled is an important consideration in AVF survival; the ideal cannulation technique has not been established to date.

Study Design: Prospective randomized single-center trial.