Also known as: Scarring of the lungs
Young woman with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis after two failed lung transplants presents with acute respiratory failure. She has arranged for cryogenic preservation and dies despite BiPAP support, becoming the episode's central patient case exploring life, death, and belief in future resurrection.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
Complication of Lizzie's pulmonary fibrosis requiring emergency finger thoracostomy and chest tube placement. Her multiple chest tube scars indicate this is a recurrent problem.
Also known as: Tumor in the spine
13-year-old Haitian girl with spinal cord tumor causing progressive difficulty walking, brought to the US by Dr. Grace Adams for surgery. Develops autonomic dysreflexia with life-threatening blood pressure swings requiring emergency surgical intervention by Neal and Campbell.
Life-threatening complication of Roseline's spinal tumor causing wildly fluctuating blood pressure and seizure, converting her case from elective to emergent and forcing Campbell's involvement in the surgery.
Also known as: Prostate cancer
Former high school football coach who ignored his prostate cancer diagnosis for a year, now presenting with tumor perforation of the colon causing septic shock. Requires emergency total colectomy with permanent colostomy. Odell Beckham, his former player, convinces him to undergo life-saving surgery.
Also known as: Blood infection
Mr. Delaney develops rapid-onset septic shock from his perforated colon, requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation and vasopressors. Used as a teaching moment for resident Angus about recognizing and managing sepsis progression.
Also known as: Blood clot in lung
New mother four days post-cesarean section presents with shortness of breath and elevated heart rate. Marathon runner whose resting heart rate should be in the 40s, making her rate of 90 concerning. Diagnosed with pulmonary embolism requiring thrombolytic therapy with risk of hemorrhage at her recent surgical site.
Also known as: Bleeding after delivery
Complication following thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism in recent c-section patient. Requires emergency uterine massage, Foley balloon tamponade, and surgical intervention to control bleeding. Serves as critical moment for Malaya's return to clinical work.
Also known as: Partial lung collapse
Initial finding in postpartum patient showing partial left lung collapse on imaging, which was ultimately a red herring before the true diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was discovered.