3-month-old baby on the heart transplant list (status 1b) waiting for a donor heart. A heart becomes available but goes to another patient with more urgent need, creating emotional conflict between two parents.
Baby who had a central shunt placed and was status 2 on transplant list, deteriorates during the episode (tamponade from leaking shunt), moves to status 1, and receives the donor heart that was initially considered for Samantha.
Also known as: Hiatal hernia
Newborn delivered to 15-year-old mother with diagnosed C.D.H. Baby has severe respiratory distress, requires emergency intubation and ECMO support. Mother abandons the baby at episode's end.
Also known as: Complete heart block
Patient receives pacemaker for complete heart block. Post-procedure complication when lead becomes displaced after coughing episode, requiring revision surgery. Comic subplot involves her husband holding her upside down to restore consciousness.
Also known as: Severe constipation
Child with impacted bowel from swallowing crayons 8 days prior, requiring manual disimpaction. Used as teaching case and to establish intern dynamics.
Also known as: GSW
Hunter accidentally shot and then hit by vehicle while wearing ghillie suit camouflage. Bullet tore through colon requiring resection. Comic 'bigfoot' case used for surgical teaching.
Also known as: Nerve damage
Derek's ongoing hand injury requires nerve transplant surgery. Plot focuses on conflict over using live donor nerve (from sister Lizzie) versus cadaver nerve, with intern selection competition as subplot.
Also known as: Skin cancer
Patient on 'lump and bump day' with gluteal mass that pathology confirms as malignant. Used to show value of seemingly minor procedures and teach Ross about patient care.