Also known as: Floppy heart valve
Bonnie Rush, wife of cochlear implant patient Peter, presents with a systolic heart murmur. Diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse associated with her hearing loss (Usher Syndrome). Dr. Latham performs minimally invasive surgical repair to prevent progression to heart failure and endocarditis.
Also known as: Brain tumor
Delmar Brendl, patient with anxiety disorder, presents with weakness and headaches. CT and MRI reveal a frontoparietal convexity meningioma causing his symptoms. Undergoes awake craniotomy due to tumor location, with Dr. Charles providing psychological support throughout the difficult procedure.
Also known as: Severe allergic reaction
Henry Wilks initially presents with hives from allergic reaction, later develops life-threatening anaphylaxis after eating roast beef sandwich. Requires emergency intubation. Diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome from lone star tick bite during fishing trip in Kentucky, causing newly developed meat allergy.
Also known as: Underdeveloped left heart
Infant Sophie undergoes Glenn procedure (second stage palliative surgery for HLHS) to improve oxygenation and reduce pulmonary artery pressure. Surgery complicated by extensive adhesions causing right atrial tear requiring emergent bypass. Rhodes and Latham successfully complete bilateral anastomosis despite challenges.
Also known as: Breast cancer spread to kidney
Sydney Hawkins, Maggie's kidney transplant recipient, develops kidney failure from what appears to be rejection but is actually a tumor. Pathology reveals the tumor is metastatic breast cancer originating from Maggie herself, transmitted via the donated kidney. Maggie faces devastating diagnosis of previously undetected metastatic breast cancer.
Also known as: Anxiety disorder
Delmar Brendl has been treated by Dr. Charles for generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. His psychiatric condition complicates his awake brain surgery, requiring intensive psychological support from Dr. Charles throughout the procedure.
Also known as: Early-onset Alzheimer's
Joanie Wilks has Alzheimer disease and lives with her husband Henry and his girlfriend Roxanne. During Henry's medical crisis, she wanders into traffic and nearly gets hit by cars, highlighting the challenges of her condition and the unconventional living arrangement.
Also known as: Insulin poisoning
Autopsy reveals Connor's father Cornelius Rhodes died from synthetic insulin overdose administered in the hospital, not from natural causes. Death ruled suspicious, suggesting murder rather than the expected post-surgical complication.
Also known as: Hives
Henry Wilks initially presents with generalized hives/rash discovered upon waking. Treated with antihistamines (Benadryl and Zantac). The hives are the first manifestation of his developing severe meat allergy from tick bite.
Also known as: Meat allergy from tick bite
Henry Wilks diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome caused by lone star tick bite during recent fishing trip in Kentucky. The condition causes delayed allergic reactions to mammalian meat, explaining his hives and subsequent life-threatening anaphylaxis to roast beef.