Eligibility criteria
| Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|
| 1. Adult patients age ≥65 | 1. Started haemodialysis with a fistula or have a patent fistula already in place |
| 2. Started haemodialysis using a tunnelled, or non-tunnelled catheter for vascular access | 2. More than one unsuccessful fistula attempt prior to starting dialysis |
| 3. Treated with dialysis for 120 days or less at the time of consent (134 days or less at the time of randomisation) | 3. Has had a prior arteriovenous graft creation |
| 4. Clinically stable as assessed by the treating nephrologist (able to provide consent within 120 days of haemodialysis start) | 4. Imminent transplant planned (within 6 months, must be booked) |
| 5. Haemodialysis is the intended long-term modality of treatment | 5. Metastatic malignancies or other condition associated with a life expectancy of <6 months, in the opinion of the attending nephrologist |
| 6. End-stage (permanent) kidney failure unlikely to recover kidney function according to the attending nephrologist | |
| 7. Eligible for a fistula attempt as determined by the local multidisciplinary access team | |
| 8. Planning to remain in the current dialysis centre for at least 6 months |