Also known as: ALL
Josh is a 16-year-old homeless boy diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His case drives a major subplot about his refusal to return to his adoptive parents for treatment, with Emily advocating for him and Dr. Choi eventually arranging for him to bring his dog Athena when he goes home for chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
Also known as: CHF
Robert Haywood is in end-stage heart failure awaiting transplant. His cardiac output, stroke volume, and systolic arterial pressure are declining with fluid accumulation in his lungs. Dr. Rhodes finds a donor heart and successfully performs a valve repair on it before transplanting it into Robert.
Also known as: Leaky heart valve
The donor heart has significant mitral regurgitation with an eaten-away leaflet. Dr. Rhodes performs a surgical valve repair on the donor heart before transplanting it into Robert Haywood, despite skepticism from Dr. Bekker.
Also known as: Gunshot wound to the head
David Gray is a 50-year-old bystander shot in the head during an attempted robbery. He presents with absent brainstem reflexes and fixed/blown pupils, is declared brain dead, and becomes an organ donor for Robert Haywood's heart transplant.
Kevin develops toxic megacolon, a dangerous intestinal infection with severe bowel inflammation and dilation, caused by long-term antibiotic use. His bowel shows increasing edema indicating lack of blood flow, requiring surgical resection. The case drives conflict between Dr. Halstead and Dr. Manning over treatment approach.
Also known as: OCD Harm (violent obsessions)
Kevin has been misdiagnosed with PANDAS but actually has genetic OCD inherited from his mother Kathy. His tics and compulsive behaviors were incorrectly attributed to streptococcal infection rather than a genetic neurological condition. The mother's handwashing compulsion is revealed during the episode.
Also known as: Opioid overdose
Frank Larson, a 74-year-old man with dementia, is found unconscious after accidentally coming into contact with fentanyl powder while feeding stray cats in an abandoned building. He develops severe opioid toxicity requiring high-dose narcan, develops negative pressure pulmonary edema when trying to breathe against his closed glottis, goes into PEA arrest, and dies despite resuscitation efforts.
Also known as: Alzheimer's disease
Frank Larson has dementia causing him to get lost while feeding stray cats, which leads to his accidental fentanyl exposure. His daughter struggles emotionally with his deteriorating condition throughout the episode.
Dr. Charles diagnoses Josh with attachment disorder stemming from two years in an orphanage during the critical period for parental bonding. This explains his inability to form healthy attachments with his adoptive parents and his preference for living on the streets despite having a life-threatening illness.