In-vitro flow characteristics downstream of a polyurethane artificial heart valve and a Bjork-Shiley Monostrut mechanical valve have been comparatively investigated in pulsatile flow using particle image velocimetry (PIV). With a triggering system and a time-delayed circuit the velocity distributions on the two perpendicular measurement planes downstream of the valves are evaluated at any given instant in conjunction with the opening behaviors of valve leaflets during a cardiac cycle. The regions of stasis and high shear stress can be found simultaneously by examining the entire view of the instantaneous velocity and Reynolds shear stress fields. It is known that high shear stress regions exist at the interface between strong axial jet flows along the wall and vortical flows in the central area distal to the valves. In addition. there are large stagnation or recirculation regions in the vicinity of the valve leaflet, where thrombus formation can be induced by accumulation of blood elements damaged in the high shear stress zones. A correlation between the unsteady flow patterns downstream of the valve and the corresponding opening postures of the polyurethane valve membrane gives useful data necessary for improved design of the frame structure and leaflet geometry of the polyurethane valve.