Abstract: Objective: To elucidate the clinical and pathological characteristics of the elderly patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) proved by autopsy. Methods: 31PE patients were divided into two groups:group A (>=65years) and group B(<65 years).Then their clinical and pathological data were compared. Results: The mean ages was 57.3±18.6.20patients were no less than 50years old.(64.5%).The age was higher than that of other reported.Significant differences between group A and B were found in several aspects. (1) The incidence of PE in male patients in group A is higher than that of in group B (80.0% to43.8%),(2) the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is higher.(73.3% to18.8%).(3) The ratio of pulmonary thrombosis is higher.(All 5 patients were in group A).(4) The ratio of thrombus is high in group A.and the embolus often occurred in the main branch of pulmonary artery and the left or right PA.(5) The ratio of dyspnea and sickbed patients was higher.(86.7% to50.0%,66.7% to31.3%).(6) There was no significant difference in the rate of misdiagnosis between the two groups.(80.0% to 81.3%). Conclusion: We must pay attention to identify the clinical and pathological characteristics of the elderly patients,and to improve the ratio of clinical diagnosis because of the higher age of PE patients.