to choke/choking

[Wowenglish]

I wonder if there is any difference in the meaning between "1" and "2".
1. They struck him in the neck, leaving him to choke.
2. They struck him in the neck, leaving him choking.

[Dozy]

This is kind of a hair-splitting question. To me, #1 has a stronger sense that they departed the scene, abandoning him to an uncertain fate, possibly death.