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Clinic Directory

The ACHD Clinic Directory offers comparative information on all self-identified ACHD clinics in the United States and Canada that currently participate in the ACHA/ISACHD ACHD Clinic Survey Project.

Click here or on the link to the right to access the directory.



Click here for more information about the directory.

All data in the ACHD Clinic Directory is self-reported and has not been independently verified. These clinics vary widely in size, training, and services offered. Before using the ACHD Clinic Directory, ACHA recommends you read How to Use the ACHD Clinic Directory (below).

ACHA does not endorse or recommend any particular ACHD Clinic but ACHA endorses the 32nd Bethesda Conference recommendation that all adults born with moderately and highly complex heart defects, both repaired and unrepaired, should be seen at a specialized, national center of ACHD excellence. For more information on ACHD care guidelines and to see if special ACHD care is recommended for you, click here.

All clinics listed were offered the opportunity to update their clinic information and data as of 2010 using the 2011 ACHD Clinic Directory Survey. However, if a clinic has not yet completed the survey, their previously reported data is listed in the directory (all sites’ data will contain a disclaimer that reads “data valid from 20XX”).

How to Use the ACHD Clinic Directory

The fact that a clinic is listed does NOT mean that it meets standards for specialized ACHD care – it just indicates that it describes itself as an ACHD clinic and completed our survey. The clinics listed here vary greatly in size, staff training, and services offered. In addition, all the information listed is SELF-REPORTED and UNVERIFIED.

ACHA urges all congenital heart patients to interview thoroughly all ACHD clinics about the specific training, volume, and special services they offer. In using the Clinic Directory, we suggest looking at the following factors, recognizing that no one factor defines the Clinic best for you. We encourage you to ask your own questions and learn all you can about the ACHD clinics listed here. We encourage you to ask your own questions and learn all you can about the ACHD clinics listed here. A list of recommended questions to ask can be found here.

In using the Clinic Directory, we suggest you look at the following factors:

  • Total number of ACHD patients seen per year: Experience counts, particularly given the wide variety of defects, health problems, previous surgeries, etc., in adult congenital heart disease. However, please note that many centers submitted estimated numbers. Accuracy may vary.
  • Total number of ACHD half-day sessions per week: A higher number of half-day sessions per week may reflect a greater commitment to an ACHD program.
  • Year of founding: This may be a measure of a special interest in ACHD patients over time. However, newer centers may also offer expertise, special training, and rapidly-growing volume.
  • Background and training of director and staff: Each program description includes information on the training and background of ACHD clinic staff. Younger ACHD cardiologists may have trained specifically in a new adult congenital cardiology program. Others will have trained as either a pediatric or adult cardiologist, but should also list specific training and background in adult congenital heart disease. (For example, years of direct experience treating adults with CHD, time spent training at other ACHD clinics.) Training dates can help you decide whether ACHD training is current and on-going.
  • Special services offered: There may be particular services, such as high-risk ACHD pregnancy care, that are of special interest to you.
  • Location: Some people choose the closest center with self-identified ACHD expertise. Others choose to travel out of area. If you do not have an ACHD center nearby, you may need to travel to get recommended care. Many ACHDers use a “team approach.” After an initial consult, the ACHD specialists team with a local cardiologist to provide care. If travel costs are a problem for you, you may be eligible for free air travel and other assistance—for more information, click here. If your insurance is limiting you care choices, please see our suggestions here.
  • Websites: ACHD clinic website links are provided where available. These can be helpful sources of additional information, but keep in mind that websites are a form of advertising. An impressive site may or may not reflect the quality of what is offered.
  • Phone numbers: You may want to call the ACHD clinic number provided to ask questions about what is offered. In addition, you may want to call other divisions (such as pediatric or adult cardiology) and ask for information about the ACHD clinic.

Note: Participation in the ACHD Clinic Survey Project is open to all interested ACHD Clinics in the United States and Canada. To learn more about the ACHA/ISACHD Clinic Survey Project or request to be included in the Directory, e-mail ClinicDirectory@achaheart.org.