AV Fistula Care Workshop Series
A Patient-Centric Initiative by Dr. Himanshu Verma and Team
Empowering Lives, One Workshop at a Time
Over the past year, we’ve embarked on a mission to raise awareness around AV fistula care and empower both patients and dialysis technicians with knowledge that can truly transform lives. Led by Dr. Himanshu Verma, Senior Consultant – Vascular & Endovascular Surgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, the AV Fistula Care Workshop Series has so far touched hundreds of lives across multiple cities.
Each workshop was crafted with a single goal: better care, better awareness, and better outcomes. Here’s a glimpse of the journey so far:
1st AV Fistula Care Workshop
Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram November 24, 2023
The very first workshop laid the foundation for everything that followed. We brought together patients and dialysis technicians under one roof for a truly collaborative learning experience.
- Himanshu Verma introduced simple yet powerful self-examination techniques using a stethoscope to monitor AV fistulas.
- Ashwini Gadde (Nephrologist) emphasized the importance of dialysis adequacy and how patients can take charge of their own monitoring.
- Ashutosh Pandey (Vascular Surgeon, Lucknow) provided insight on identifying early signs of AV access issues.
- A specially curated renal-friendly lunch menu titled “Khane Me Kya Hai”, developed by our Clinical Nutritionist, added a thoughtful touch to patient care.
This session reminded us that even small knowledge can lead to big impact.
2nd & 3rd AV Fistula Care Workshops – Dual Sessions
Oriana Hospital, Varanasi, April 28, 2024
Held in Varanasi, this workshop day was divided into two meaningful parts—one for patients and one for dialysis technicians.
Morning Session – For Patients
The day began with a room full of patients eager to understand their fistula health better.
- Dr. Verma guided them through how to identify sounds from their AV fistula—continuous, interrupted, or absent—and what those sounds mean.
Patients opened up about their experiences, allowing the discussion to flow organically. They left feeling more confident in managing their access.
Evening Session - For Dialysis Technicians
Oriana Hospital, Varanasi, April 28, 2024
The second half of the day was dedicated to skill-building for technicians.
- They were trained to handle different types of AV accesses-BCF, RCF, and AV
Grafts-and learned correct puncture methods. - The session aimed at reducing complications and promoting early recognition of issues, giving technicians practical tools to improve care.
Together, these sessions created a 360-degree support model: empowered patients and well-trained providers.
4th & 5th AV Fistula Care Workshops – Dehradun Outreach
Morning Session – Max Hospital, Dehradun
Date: August 11, 2024 | Participants: 85 (Dialysis Patients & Technicians)
The session began with a simple discussion on what an AV fistula is, why it’s important for dialysis, and how small daily habits can help protect it.
Each patient received an AV Fistula Care Toolkit with:
- A stethoscope for daily sound checks
- A renal diet chart and care instructions
- An exercise guide for the fistula arm
- A fridge magnet explaining thrill and warning signs
- A wristband marked “No IV/No BP on fistula arm”
- A motivational story of a kidney warrior
Dr. Himanshu Verma demonstrated how to use the stethoscope and explained:
- Continuous sound – fistula is working well
- Interrupted sound – possible narrowing
- No sound – may indicate blockage
Technicians were trained on:
- Puncture techniques for BCF, RCF, and AV grafts
- Checking thrill and sound using a stethoscope
- Early detection of access failure
Dr. Trisha (PhD – Renal Nutrition) shared easy food tips for CKD patients, and Dr. Manish (Senior Physiotherapist) demonstrated simple exercises to support fistula health.
The session gave both patients and staff practical tools and confidence to care for AV fistulas every day.
Evening Session – Synergy Hospital
Dehradun, August 11, 2024
- This session focused on hands-on training with real-time feedback.
Technicians learned access types, correct puncture techniques, and how to guide patients through self-checks during dialysis.
- Together, these sessions created a 360-degree support model: empowered patients and well-trained providers.
What made this day special was the sense of shared purpose among everyone involved.
6th AV Fistula Care Workshop – Focused on AV Thrill Awareness
Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram ,December 21, 2024
Our final workshop of the year focused on a very specific concern—AV thrill awareness.
- Several patients had questions about a “missing” or “weaker” thrill in their fistula. This opened the door for a deeper conversation.
- Dr. Verma explained how to use a stethoscope to monitor sounds and understand what a healthy thrill feels like.
- Many patients were able to identify early signs of trouble and were referred for timely medical review.
- Dr. Trisha Sachan Mishra conducted a focused session on nutrition for dialysis patients.
Participants from across Delhi, Gurgaon, Patna, Dehradun, and Moradabad attended. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a “confidence-building” session.
7th Annual AV Fistula Workshop – Masterclass
23rd March 2025 | FMRI, Gurugram
Fortis Memorial Research Institute hosted a hands-on masterclass for over 160 dialysis technicians across India, led by Dr. Himanshu Verma and the Vascular Surgery team.
- Focused on AV fistula care, the workshop covered BCF, RCF, AV Grafts, and live puncture training on real patients. A special session by Mr. Katsuya Tokuda (Japan) added global insights.
- Faculty included:
Dr. Himanshu Verma, Prof. (Dr.) Digvijay Sharma, Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Dr. Rahul Agrawal, Dr. Luv Luthra, and Dr. Ashwini Gadde. - All participants received certificates, and quiz winners were specially recognized.
- Special thanks to the Vascular Surgery Department and Mr. Yash Rawat for their support in making this event a success.
India’s First AV Fistula Clinic Now at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram!
- For patients on dialysis, their AV fistula isn’t just a procedure — it’s their lifeline. And now, for the first time in India, there’s a clinic dedicated entirely to protecting that lifeline.
- The AV Fistula Clinic at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Vascular Surgery Department, designed with one goal: to give dialysis patients better care, fewer complications, and a stronger, healthier future.
- “The AV Fistula Clinic is launched to improve AV access, so that we can improve the quality of dialysis for patients, reduce complications in AV access – because a timely AV access maintains the lifeline for a lifetime.”
- Led by Dr. Himanshu Verma (Director – Vascular &Endovascular Surgery ), the clinic offers early planning, expert monitoring, and long-term care of AV access — ensuring patients can continue their dialysis journey with confidence.
- The clinic was inaugurated by Mr. Yash Rawat (Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram), who shared the hospital’s vision of advancing patient care through innovation and empathy.
- Because when it comes to dialysis, every fistula matters. Every life matters.
Honouring a rare kind of strength - Celebrating our Kidney warriors
- As part of the AV Fistula Care Workshop, Dr. Himanshu Verma and his team at Fortis Memorial Research Institute hosted a truly special evening — one filled with emotion, gratitude, and quiet strength. It was a moment to honour dialysis patients who’ve been on this journey for more than 10, 15, 20, even 25 years — something incredibly rare and deeply inspiring in itself.
- But what made this celebration even more touching was who presented the honours — caregivers of CKD patients who are no longer with us. These were the very people who once stood by their loved ones during dialysis, now returning to the stage to acknowledge others still walking the same path. It was a gesture that needed no words — full of respect, shared memories, and silent support.
- Surrounded by nephrologists, dialysis technicians, and CKD care experts, this evening was a beautiful reminder that care isn’t only about medicine — it’s about human connection, empathy, and standing beside each other through it all.
- The night also marked a step forward in innovation and comfort, with the launch of the Ayusynk digital stethoscope — built to make AV access monitoring smarter — and the unveiling of a specially designed dialysis clothing line created for ease and dignity during treatment.
- And to end the evening on a joyful note, comedian Manish Tyagi lit up the room with laughter, leaving everyone smiling — because even in the hardest journeys, there’s always room for a little light.
Conclusion
What began as a single workshop has grown into a focused initiative dedicated to improving AV access care. Through these workshops, we have trai ned over a thousand patients and technicians, distributed AV Fistula Care Toolkits, and shared vital knowledge to prevent complications and support early detection.
The results speak for themselves—patients are now identifying issues like changes in fistula sounds (continuous, interrupted, or absent) and seeking timely care. This has led to better AV access maintenance and improved long-term dialysis outcomes.
Driven by our mission of maintaining a lifeline for a lifetime, we are now preparing to expand internationally and reach more cities. Our commitment to better care and empowered patients continues to grow.
4th & 5th AV Fistula Care Workshops – Dehradun Outreach
Morning Session – Max Hospital, Dehradun
Date: August 11, 2024 | Participants: 85 (Dialysis Patients & Technicians)
The session began with a simple discussion on what an AV fistula is, why it’s important for dialysis, and how small daily habits can help protect it.
Each patient received an AV Fistula Care Toolkit with:
- A stethoscope for daily sound checks
- A renal diet chart and care instructions
- An exercise guide for the fistula arm
- A fridge magnet explaining thrill and warning signs
- A wristband marked “No IV/No BP on fistula arm”
- A motivational story of a kidney warrior
Dr. Himanshu Verma demonstrated how to use the stethoscope and explained:
- Continuous sound – fistula is working well
- Interrupted sound – possible narrowing
- No sound – may indicate blockage
Technicians were trained on:
- Puncture techniques for BCF, RCF, and AV grafts
- Checking thrill and sound using a stethoscope
- Early detection of access failure
Dr. Trisha (PhD – Renal Nutrition) shared easy food tips for CKD patients, and Dr. Manish (Senior Physiotherapist) demonstrated simple exercises to support fistula health.
The session gave both patients and staff practical tools and confidence to care for AV fistulas every day.
