Characterization of pulsatile flow in arterial models may provide an insight on various flow-induced changes due to morphology, blood viscosity, wall elasticity, flow rate, etc. In this work we studied how the dynamics of a pulsatile flow changes with wall elasticity, stenosis degree and Reynolds number in aortic phantoms by using ultrasonic (US) and optical (O) particle imaging velocimetry (PIV). Rigid and elastic aortic phantoms were made from clinical images with and without a 50% stenotic obstruction. The models were connected to a circulating loop composed of a homemade pulsatile programmable pump, a reservoir and a sample chamber. Using USPIV and OPIV the fluid velocity field was measured inside the phantom for different Reynolds numbers. The phantoms with no stenosis showed a laminar flow (hat shape profiles) while the stenotic ones showed reverse flow and vortex formation especially over the stenotic region. A preliminary qualitative analysis showed no significant differences in the shape of the velocity field flow between the elastic and rigid phantoms. However, the velocities for the elastic and rigid models differ for the same Reynolds values, we believe this is due inflation of the sample. In conclusion, it was possible to measure the fluid velocity field with OPIV and USPIV, allowing the visualization of vortices. Further studies will involve the characterization of the flow dynamics to better understand the role of wall elasticity.