Also known as: Kidney stones
Robbie is a 22-year-old attempting to pass a large kidney stone, complicated by ventricular tachycardia that puts him at risk during surgery. His genetic testing reveals RAF1 mutation causing his cardiomyopathy.
Also known as: Enlarged heart muscle disease
Discovered during cardiac workup for kidney stone surgery. Genetic testing reveals RAF1 mutation as the cause, requiring postponement of stone removal surgery.
Rita has a congenital tricuspid valve malformation and is 33 weeks pregnant. She was strongly advised against pregnancy due to life-threatening cardiac risks but chose to proceed.
Also known as: Tear in the aorta
Rita develops an aortic dissection during pregnancy, requiring emergency C-section followed by cardiovascular repair. The dissection tears further during surgery, complicating the repair.
Rita's premature baby has a congenital heart defect requiring immediate surgery. The pulmonary artery perforates during banding procedure, requiring Dr. Robbins to perform a septation to separate the single ventricle into two.
Also known as: Small cell lung cancer
Marjorie is an 88-year-old with stage IV small cell lung cancer metastatic to the liver. She experiences repeated cardiac arrests and begs to be allowed to die naturally, but her daughter refuses DNR. Dr. Pierce slow-codes her final arrest to respect her wishes.
Also known as: Stroke
Tracey suffers a minor stroke during vigorous sexual activity. Investigation reveals a clot traveled from her leg through a patent foramen ovale in her heart to her brain, causing the stroke.
Also known as: PFO, hole in the heart
An undiagnosed hole between heart chambers allowed a leg clot to travel to Tracey's brain during sex when pressure changes occurred. Dr. Pierce repairs it with a catheter-based device.
Also known as: DVT
A clot in Tracey's left leg served as the source for the paradoxical embolism that caused her stroke.