Also known as: Liver failure
Ten-year-old girl presenting with fatigue, sweating, and jaundice rapidly progresses to acute liver failure with markedly elevated liver enzymes (INR 4.2) and worsening coagulopathy. Despite extensive workup ruling out toxins, viral causes, and autoimmune disorders, the cause remains idiopathic. She requires emergency liver transplant from her mother to survive.
Also known as: Aortic stenosis
Max's mother is discovered to have critical aortic stenosis during pre-operative workup to donate part of her liver. The severe valve narrowing causes shortness of breath and fatigue, and initially prevents her from safely donating. She undergoes emergency TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) to repair the valve before the transplant can proceed.
Also known as: A-fib
Tracy develops atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate during emotional distress about her daughter's condition, which worsens her cardiac status and leads to pulmonary edema. This complication necessitates immediate intervention before she can proceed with valve repair.
Also known as: Blood around the heart
During the liver donation surgery, Tracy develops cardiac tamponade with pericardial sac filling with fluid, causing hypotension and cardiac arrest. Dr. Bell performs emergency drainage through the diaphragm and open heart massage to save her life.
Also known as: DIC
As Max's liver failure progresses, she develops DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), a life-threatening coagulopathy that makes immediate transplant necessary to prevent fatal bleeding complications.
Also known as: Fluid in the lungs
Tracy develops pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) secondary to her rapid atrial fibrillation and critical aortic stenosis, significantly worsening her cardiac status before valve replacement.
Also known as: Profound hearing loss
Max is deaf due to sensorineural hearing loss that occurred at six months old following meningitis that was initially misdiagnosed at an underfunded hospital. She communicates via sign language and lip reading. While not driving the current medical crisis, this background condition affects how the medical team communicates with their patient.