Prevention of tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheter-related dysfunction and bacteremia by a neutral-valve closed-system connector: a single-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) tunneled cuffed catheters may be fitted with neutral-valve closed-system connectors. Such connectors, which are flushed with saline solution and used for 3 consecutive HD sessions, provide a mechanically closed positive-pressure barrier and potentially may be useful to prevent catheter-related bacteremia and dysfunction.

Study Design: Single-center randomized controlled trial.