cafe coronary


ca·fe cor·o·nar·y

sudden collapse while eating that results from food impaction closing the glottis; often erroneously thought to stem from coronary artery disease.

café coronary

Complete and abrupt upper airway obstruction by a bolus of food, often meat, which occludes the oesophagus and larynx, so named as the sudden onset of symptoms simulates acute myocardial infarction. Café coronaries victims are speechless, breathless and, without assistance (e.g., Heimlich manoeuvre), will die.
 
Clinical findings
Violent coughing, cyanosis, collapse, death.

café coronary

Vallecular dysphagia Emergency medicine Complete and abrupt upper airway obstruction by a bolus of food, often meat, which occludes the esophagus and larynx, so named as the sudden onset of Sx simulates acute MI; CC victims are speechless, breathless and, without help–eg Heimlich maneuver–lifeless At-risk groups Inebriated, bedentured, mentally retarded, demented, gluttonous Clinical Violent coughing, cyanosis, collapse, death. Cf Steakhouse syndrome, Sushi syncope.

caf·é cor·o·nar·y

(kaf-ā' kōr'ŏ-nār'ē) Sudden collapse while eating due to food impaction closing the glottis; often erroneously thought to stem from coronary artery disease.