The post-mortem incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the years 1960–2000 was retrospectively reviewed. In five reference years 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 there was a total of 582 necropsy patients with PE encountered in 3420 autopsies of adults (> 18 y.) – an incidence of 17.0 %. The incidence had a steadily declining trend – from 19.2 % in 1960 to 14.2 % in the year 2000. The incidence was higher in females (20.4 %) than in males (14.4 %). We have also followed the seasonal variation of PE incidence; this was the highest in autumn (September–November) 18.6 %, and the lowest in spring (March–May) 14.3 %. The average age of patients who died with PE increased from 63.7 y. in 1960 to 67.8 y. in 2000; it was higher in females (66.9 y.) than in males (64.2 y.). Our results confirm those of most pathological studies that the post-mortem incidence of PE is declining.

        Key words: pulmonary embolism incidence – seasonal variation of pulmonary embolism