Systems, kits, and methods for establishing vascular access are described. A system typically includes a radially expandable sleeve, a dilator, and a guidewire. The methods comprise positioning the guidewire through an initial tissue tract, passing the radially expandable sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood vessel, and thereafter passing the dilator over the guidewire and through the radially expandable sleeve to effect radial expansion of the sleeve. Use of the sleeve reduces the risk of injuring tissue surrounding the tissue tract by lessening the axial forces imparted to the tissue. Kits comprise at least the radially expandable sleeve together with instructions for use.
