Sudden Death in an Elderly Population from Aspiration of Food

During the year 1973, sudden death from food aspiration was identified in 3 patients of a geriatric hospital population. The correct diagnosis was made only at autopsy. As is usual under these circumstances, the clinical diagnosis had been myocardial infarction. This article emphasizes the importance of recognizing the possibility of food aspiration in these cases, as immediate bronchial aspiration or tracheostomy is the only life‐saving procedure.