Also known as: COPD
The recipient patient has severe emphysema requiring a double lung transplant. Her condition drives the urgency of the episode as the team works against time to fix the donor lungs.
The central diagnostic mystery of the episode. The donor's lungs developed eosinophilic pneumonitis from passive cigar smoke exposure during a poker game, causing his white blood cells to overreact without an off switch. This condition made the lungs unsuitable for transplant until properly diagnosed and treated.
Also known as: Kidney failure
The transplant recipient develops kidney dysfunction due to nitroglycerin treatment reducing blood flow to her kidneys, requiring adjustment of her cardiac medication.
Also known as: Chest pain from heart disease
The transplant recipient experiences recurrent angina that is initially controlled with nitroglycerin but becomes problematic when the medication causes kidney issues.
Also known as: Temporary vessel spasm
During treatment of the donor lungs, vasospasm develops causing blockage in the perfusion system. Treatment with calcium channel blockers resolves the spasm but one lobe of the lung dies in the process.
Also known as: Flatline
The donor patient arrived at the ER in asystole after a motorcycle accident, leading to his death and organ donation.