Factors associated with a tunneled dialysis catheter in place at initial arteriovenous access creation

The absence of a preoperative nephrology visit, homelessness, and not being obese were associated with having TDCs present at initial AV access creation. Additionally, TDCs did not appear to confer changes in short-term survival. Targeted improvements in high-risk populations such as increasing the frequency of preoperative sub-specialty evaluation may be warranted to reduce TDC placement prior to AV access creation at urban safety-net hospitals.