Also known as: Weakened heart muscle from viral infection
Denny is admitted for heart transplant due to viral cardiomyopathy causing his heart to be unable to fill and pump blood normally. The episode revolves around waiting for a donor heart, which ultimately falls through.
Also known as: Intersex condition
A 14-year-old patient presenting with an enlarged pelvic lymph node undergoes biopsy revealing testicular tissue instead of ovarian. The patient is discovered to have both male and female internal sex organs, leading to difficult conversations about identity and surgical options.
Also known as: Foreign matter blockage in digestive tract
A writer who ate his entire novel develops abdominal pain from a bezoar requiring surgical removal. The paper contained mercury leading to secondary poisoning with neurological symptoms.
Also known as: Heavy metal poisoning
The writer who ate his novel develops mercury poisoning from the paper, presenting with fever, sweats, tingling extremities, mood changes, and altered mental status. Treated with chelation therapy.
Also known as: Cancer of the lining of organs
Burke is performing surgery to dissect a mesothelioma when he's called away for the heart transplant retrieval, though this patient case is not central to the episode.
Also known as: Early-onset Alzheimer's
Meredith's mother continues to suffer from early-onset Alzheimer's. Derek approaches Meredith about enrolling Ellis in a clinical trial that may provide more good days.