Also known as: Hole in the heart
A special education teacher presents with bleeding from lungs and stomach, thrombocytopenia, cardiac arrest, and pleural effusion. The team eventually discovers she has an unclosed ductus arteriosus that causes blood to bypass her left brain hemisphere when stressed, paradoxically making her calmer and better with difficult children. This explains why she became annoyed only when her blood pressure dropped during surgery.
Also known as: Low platelet count
Patient's platelets appear damaged with 'bite marks,' causing prolonged bleeding time and inability to clot properly. Initially suspected to be immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), but ultimately found to be secondary to her cardiac defect.
Also known as: Fluid around the lungs
Patient develops bilateral pleural effusions requiring surgical drainage during her hospitalization, with oxygen saturation dropping to 89%. This complication supports House's theory about brain involvement before the true cardiac diagnosis is discovered.
Also known as: Baby blues (severe form)
Cuddy struggles with lack of emotional connection to her newly adopted daughter Rachel, feeling no love or amazement despite doing all the required caretaking tasks. She confides in Wilson that she feels like she's in prison at home and considers giving the baby back, representing a significant character subplot about maternal bonding challenges.