Adult Congenital Heart Disease

For more than 40 years, the UCSF Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program has been at the forefront of comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for adults born with congenital heart lesions, ranging from the simplest to the most complex lesions. 

As advances in pediatric cardiac surgery have transformed survival, a growing population of adults with congenital heart disease now requires lifelong specialized care. Our cardiologists have deep expertise across the full spectrum of congenital heart lesions, whether previously treated or newly diagnosed, including patients with complex residual conditions requiring interventional procedures, surgical repair, or advanced medical management.  

We are recognized as an Adult Congenital Heart Association Accredited Comprehensive Care Center, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of patient-centered care and our ability to manage the most challenging ACHD cases.  

Key Highlights of Our Program 

Accessible, Community-Based Care: As the only ACHD program in Northern California that accepts most insurance plans, we are proud to serve one of the most diverse patient populations in the region. Our hub-and-spoke delivery model provides comprehensive ACHD services, including advanced diagnostic imaging and procedures, at our primary campuses at Mission Bay, Bayfront, and Parnassus, while extending specialty care closer to home through satellite clinics in Modesto, Santa Rosa, Salinas, Fremont, Berkeley, and San Mateo. 

Pediatric to Adult Transition: We work in close collaboration with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals at San Francisco and Oakland to ensure a seamless transition from pediatric to adult care. Our satellite clinics are often co-located with pediatric CHD clinics, and dedicated transition coordinators, nurses, and program staff across both the pediatric and adult programs guide young adults every step of the way. Patients can also access EmpowerMyCH, a digital health tool developed at UCSF to help patients with CHD confidently navigate the healthcare system. 

Treatment Innovations: From transcatheter ASD closure and pulmonary valve replacement to complex congenital interventions or surgeries, advanced heart failure management, single ventricle comprehensive management, and transplantation, our team is at the forefront of innovation, offering the most comprehensive and contemporary approaches to every CHD condition. 

Pregnancy and Cardiac Treatment (PACT) Program: Our PACT Program is among the leading programs in the country for maternal cardiac care, offering a one-stop, multidisciplinary approach from preconception through postpartum - with dedicated ACHD cardiologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, anesthesiologists, social workers, and nursing staff working together at every step. 

Patient Care 

Our multidisciplinary team brings together ACHD specialists, cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, transplant physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and patient navigators — delivering holistic, coordinated care across every stage of life with congenital heart disease.  

 Learn more and schedule an appointment. 

Teaching 

UCSF's ACHD Fellowship is dedicated to training the next generation of specialists through rigorous clinical experience, mentorship, and exposure to one of the most complex and diverse ACHD patient populations in the country. 

 ACHD Fellowship 

Research 

Our patient-centered research program, called ACHD.CARE is built on four pillars — Community, Advocacy, Research, and Education — working together to improve outcomes, expand treatment options, and advance the science of adult congenital heart disease across the full lifespan. Our faculty are actively engaged in ongoing studies spanning clinical trials, digital health, genomics, and health equity. 

ACHD.CARE Research Program

Community  

We are committed to building lasting partnerships with patients, families, and advocacy organizations, connecting our community to educational resources, support networks, and events that empower lifelong heart health.  

• CHD community events 
  Search events by city or state

• Adult Congenital Heart Association
  The leading national ACHD patient advocacy organization 

• Support our program 
  Adult Congenital Heart Gift Fund

Stay Connected 

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