University Health leading the way in adult congenital heart care
The Adult Congenital Heart Association has awarded University Health the only comprehensive care center accreditation in South Texas. The team met the highest national standards in medical services, safety and comprehensive care for adults born with heart defects.
“This accreditation shows that our patients are treated by a team with special training in congenital heart disease. They have access to the right tests, procedures and follow-up care,” said Dr. Pankaj Madan, the founding medical director for the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) program. “It gives patients and families confidence they can receive advanced care close to home instead of traveling outside of San Antonio.”
Providing lifelong care
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defects, diagnosed in nearly 1% of babies. Fifty years ago, they were considered a childhood disease because many patients didn’t survive to adulthood. Today, because of medical advancements, they are also considered chronic adult conditions that require lifelong care. University Health’s ACHD program treats a lengthy list of congenital heart defects that range from simple to complex. These include atrial septal defect, characterized by an abnormal hole in the upper heart chambers, and more complex forms of congenital heart disease such as tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries, truncus arteriosus or single ventricles.
A team of skilled specialists
University Health’s ACHD program brings together skilled specialists who can provide advanced heart procedures, care for patients with congenital heart disease during pregnancy and genetics services, all in one coordinated program.
Pediatric and adult CHD teams work together to ensure patients receive seamless care as they transition to maturity. Dr. Pooja Kashyap, a pediatric and adult congenital cardiologist, is the medical director of the ACHD transition program, ensuring patients receive follow-up care as they age out of childhood treatment.
Meeting the needs of a growing patient group
Since it opened in March 2023, University Health’s ACHD team has treated a rapidly growing number of patients. In 2025, they scheduled more than 2,200 appointments for adult congenital heart care, a 47% increase over the previous year.
“We are caring for patients as young as 16 years old, patients in their 80s and all ages in between,” said Madan, who highlighted some of the team’s breakthroughs.
He is especially proud of their expertise in replacing damaged transcatheter pulmonary valves using a minimally invasive procedure instead of open-heart surgery. The smaller incisions provide better outcomes, less pain and faster patient recovery. His team is the first in South Texas to complete the procedure using the Medtronic Harmony system, advanced technology that may delay or prevent the need for future surgeries.
University Health’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease team continues to expand treatment options by collaborating with electrophysiology, advanced imaging, maternal-fetal medicine and other teams to manage the most complex ACHD conditions for patients who have been in the fight to maintain their heart health since birth.
“Many of us know someone with a congenital heart defect, but those patients may not be getting all the advanced treatment that is now available. We want to reach those patients and provide them with the specialized care that will give them the best quality of life,” Madan said.
