A small implantable centrifugal left ventricular assist device, the CH-VAD (CH Biomedical Inc, JiangSu, China), featuring a magnetically levitated impeller is under development. The goal of this study is to validate hydrodynamic performance and hemocompatibility of the pump through in vitro studies. The hydraulic performance was quantified experimentally by using in vitro circulation loop system, and it turned out that the pump could deliver 5 L/min under a pressure of 100 mmHg at a rotational speed of approximate 3400 rpm. A series of in vitro tests were established according to ASTM F1841, the standard practice for the assessment of hemolysis in continuous-flow blood pumps. The results showed that the average normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) value of the VAD was 0.0007 +/- 0.0003 mg/dL. The magnetic levitation left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has good hemolytic performance and stable mechanical property. These acceptable performance results supported proceeding initial acute animal testing conditions.