Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by specific symptoms and signs of reduced cardiac output and organ congestion caused by structural and/or functional disorders of the heart. The prevalence of heart failure is 1-2% and affects more than 10% of the population older than 70 years of age. It is estimated that the total number of patients with heart failure will increase by 50% by 2030. By better understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure and the progress of pharmacological therapy, there is a significant improvement in the survival and quality of life of patients, as well as by controlling and alleviating the symptoms of the disease. When it comes to acute heart failure, especially its most challenging clinical presentation – cardiogenic shock, conventional and pharmacological therapy is sometimes not enough. Refractoriness to pharmacological therapy and other available therapy, as well as high mortality rates in acute heart failure, have led to the need to develop mechanical circulatory supports that unload the heart and ensure optimal hemodynamic status. Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) refers to a group of devices that are used for a short period of time, usually up to 30 days. Specifically, these are several paracorporeal pumps that are placed surgically or percutaneously to support the left and/or right side of the heart. However, they are not a permanent solution but in the case of acute heart failure, they represent a bridge to recovery, the implantation of durable mechanical support for the heart or to heart transplantation. The implementation of MCS with standard therapy in the treatment of cardiogenic shock provides time to detect and act on the etiology of acute heart failure. Nurses and technicians directly care for patients on MCS, therefore, it is necessary to understand their hemodynamic effect, to know the main components of each pump as well as to be familiar with the development of potential complications. In the Republic of Croatia, we most often encounter the intra-aortic balloon pump, percutaneous transvalvular left ventricular support pump (Impella) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and these are all further described in this paper.