Also known as: Tetralogy of Fallot
A 21-year-old woman with Down syndrome and Tetralogy of Fallot (unrepaired congenital heart defect) who is 21 weeks pregnant experiences fainting episodes and heart failure due to pregnancy strain. She refuses surgery to protect her baby, creating a major ethical conflict about her autonomy versus her mother's medical power of attorney. Surgery is ultimately performed with increased risk to save both mother and fetus.
Also known as: Liver inflammation from alcohol
A father with chronic alcohol abuse presents with abdominal pain and vomiting. He has advanced liver failure with portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Despite promising to quit drinking, he continues and suffers a life-threatening variceal hemorrhage. The case reveals the devastating impact of his addiction on his family, particularly his son Jesse.
Also known as: Suicide attempt
The son of an alcoholic patient who presents with a broken arm initially reported as a treehouse fall. Dr. Charles discovers the boy actually jumped from the treehouse in a suicide attempt, unable to cope with his father's alcoholism and the family dysfunction. He is admitted to psychiatry for treatment and safety.
Also known as: Severe allergic reaction
A young man with suspected appendicitis suffers a fatal allergic reaction to IV contrast dye during a CT scan. Despite resuscitation attempts including intubation and defibrillation, he dies from ventricular fibrillation. This is Dr. Curry's first patient death and drives an emotional subplot about delivering bad news.
Also known as: Dislocated shoulder
Dr. Manning dislocates her shoulder during a helicopter crash landing. Dr. Halstead reduces the dislocation in the field before they can evacuate the aircraft. Creates tension between the estranged couple as they work together.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
A neonatal patient on ECMO suffers a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) during transport after the helicopter crash when bagging blows out his lung. Dr. Manning performs needle decompression as a temporary measure due to anticoagulation concerns.
Also known as: Inflamed appendix
The presumed diagnosis for Pete Flores before his fatal allergic reaction to contrast dye. He presented with right lower quadrant pain and positive McBurney's sign consistent with routine appendicitis.
Also known as: Varices from liver scarring
A complication of Bruce Green's alcoholic liver failure causing increased pressure in the portal venous system, leading to the formation of esophageal varices that eventually rupture and bleed.
Also known as: Bleeding vessels in throat
Enlarged blood vessels in Bruce Green's esophagus secondary to portal hypertension that rupture causing massive hemorrhage requiring emergency endoscopic ligation.
Also known as: Broken arm
Jesse Green presents with a forearm fracture in a cast, initially reported as a treehouse fall but later revealed to be from a suicide attempt by jumping.