Also known as: Giant abdominal mass
A 43-year-old woman presents with a massive abdominal tumor (described as 60+ pounds) that has been growing for 18 months, causing progressive shortness of breath by compressing her diaphragm and lungs. She undergoes extensive surgery but dies on the table from uncontrollable bleeding when a weakened artery ruptures.
Also known as: Parkinson's
A 63-year-old man with Parkinson's disease experiences severe dyskinesia and spinal pain. He initially refuses deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery but is eventually persuaded to undergo the awake brain procedure, which successfully improves his motor symptoms.
Also known as: Blood around the heart
Post-coronary bypass patient develops acute cardiac tamponade with massive clot formation. Izzie performs emergency bedside sternotomy to evacuate the clot and manually massage the heart, successfully saving his life.
Also known as: Heart attack
Mr. Harper had suffered a heart attack and underwent coronary bypass surgery the day before, which sets up his post-operative complication of cardiac tamponade.
Also known as: Early-onset Alzheimer's
Mentioned in the opening scene as advancing, requiring Meredith to handle legal/financial matters while her mother is still lucid. This is part of Meredith's ongoing character arc dealing with her mother's illness.