Also known as: Narrowing of the aorta
Five-year-old Kanesha presents with severe respiratory distress, tachycardia, and hypertension due to known coarctation of the aorta. The diagnosis is complicated when she develops ventricular tachyrhythmia and fever, eventually revealing cocaine poisoning as the acute cause rather than heart failure progression.
Also known as: Cocaine overdose
The five-year-old's cardiac symptoms are ultimately traced to cocaine ingestion, leading to a Child and Family Services investigation. The case reveals the older sister Shandra was the source of the cocaine after testing positive.
Also known as: GSW
Fourteen-year-old male arrives with multiple gunshot wounds to the back, resulting in bilateral hemothorax and a bullet in the right ventricle causing tamponade. Benton performs an emergency thoracotomy. The patient dies despite aggressive resuscitation. He was shot by Ivan, the liquor store owner, while fleeing unarmed.
Also known as: Blood around the heart
The teenage gunshot victim develops cardiac tamponade from a bullet lodged in the right ventricle, requiring emergency pericardiotomy during thoracotomy. Despite intervention, the patient arrests and dies.
Also known as: Blood in chest cavity
The gunshot victim has bilateral hemothorax requiring bilateral chest tubes, with over a liter of blood drained from the left side.
Also known as: Seizure
HIV-positive patient Monty has a seizure in the waiting room, hitting his head on the admitting desk. His seizure is attributed to non-compliance with Dilantin and possible alcohol use, which dangerously interacts with his anticonvulsant medication.
Also known as: AIDS
Patient Monty is HIV-positive and on AZT, presenting with seizure due to medication non-compliance. His inability to afford transportation to the clinic highlights barriers to care.
Also known as: Dislocated shoulder
Patient with shoulder dislocation from water-skiing accident undergoes closed reduction under anesthesia by Carol and another staff member.
Also known as: Heat stroke
Elderly nursing home patient brought in dead on arrival from heat exposure during the October heat wave with temperatures reaching 102 degrees.