Also known as: Hole in the heart
Natalie Forrester suffers a ventricular septal rupture (a tear in the wall between the heart's chambers) following an undiagnosed myocardial infarction. She codes multiple times and the episode centers on her young son Max being unprepared for her imminent death.
Also known as: Heart attack
Natalie had an undiagnosed heart attack approximately a week prior to her collapse, which she mistook for indigestion. This weakened her heart wall and led to the rupture.
Also known as: Air pocket in lung lining
Julius has had a congenital pulmonary bleb since infancy. After smoke inhalation from a fire, the bleb threatens to burst and collapse his lung. Alex Karev stages a penetrating chest wound to justify emergency surgery and insurance coverage.
Also known as: Smoke inhalation
Julius inhaled smoke while delivering food during an apartment fire, which stressed his already compromised lungs and made his bleb more dangerous.
Also known as: Second-degree burns
An unnamed patient from the apartment fire suffered the worst burns and was taken directly to the burn unit. A firefighter also sustained a minor hand burn checking a door for heat.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Betty, a teenager living with Owen and Amelia, relapses by smoking marijuana. Amelia grounds her for one month and requires her to attend meetings, building structure in their relationship.
Also known as: Unplanned pregnancy
Meredith reveals to Maggie that Teddy Altman is pregnant with Owen's baby, but neither Owen nor Amelia knows yet. This creates major dramatic tension as Owen and Amelia are currently rebuilding their relationship.