Rationale and Design of the ORCCA (Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes) Study

Background Clinical practice recommendations for participation in sports and exercise among young competitive athletes with cardiovascular conditions at risk for sudden death are based largely on expert consensus with a paucity of prospective outcomes data. Recent guidelines have taken a more permissive approach, using a shared decision‐making model. However, the impact and outcomes of this strategy remain unknown. Methods The ORCCA (Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes) study is a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal, observational cohort study designed to monitor clinical outcomes in athletes with potentially life‐threatening cardiovascular conditions. The study will assess sports eligibility decision‐making, exercise habits, psychosocial well‐being, and long‐term cardiovascular outcomes among young competitive athletes with cardiovascular conditions. Competitive athletes aged 18 to