Background The CH-VAD is an implantable, fully magnetically suspended ventricular assist device developed by CH Biomedical Corporation for full cardiac support. This study was performed to evaluate the short-term (35 days) hematological, biochemical, and end-organ effects of the CH-VAD left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in a sheep model trial. Methods Six sheep underwent CH-VAD implantation without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. The pump inflow was inserted into the left ventricle and the outflow graft was anastomosed to the descending aorta. Data on pump function and the health condition of the animals, including hematologic and biochemical tests, were collected during the study period. When each study was determined to termination, the sheep were humanely euthanized and the end organs were examined macroscopically and histopathologically. Hemolysis was evaluated based on the amount of free hemoglobin in the plasma. Results Except for one device that stopped operation on the 25th postoperative day because of thrombus formation, the planned date of termination (35 days) was reached in all the animals without complication and device failure. Gross examination of the pump interiors, inflow and outflow, and of the arterial anastomosis sites showed no significant abnormalities. Hematologic and biochemical test results were within normal limits during the study period. Elevations observed in the levels of white blood cell count, and decreases in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count were of short duration, these parameters returned to normal within 20days of surgery. Serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, SGPT(ALT), SGOT(AST), and lactate dehydrogenase levels showed transient increases within the first five days of surgery. Other biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Macroscopic and histopathologic examinations of the explanted organs revealed no evidence of ischemia or infarction associated with the device implantation, except for small foci of infarction in the kidneys of two sheep. The free hemoglobin level in plasma peaked at 9.5 mg/dL on the fifth postoperative day. Conclusions Hematological, biochemical, and end-organ functions were not adversely affected by short-term CH-VAD system.