Temporary circulatory support (TCS) is used to improve hemodynamics in patients with cardiogenic shock as a bridge to durable ventricular assist device (dVAD). Data from dVAD recipients with or without TCS (extracorporeal membranous oxygenation [ECMO], n = 14; TandemHeart [TH], n = 26) were evaluated. Clinical characteristics and hemodynamics were analyzed for patients before and after TCS and compared with profile 1 (n = 29) or profile 2-3 (n = 269) patients without TCS before dVAD. Extracorporeal membranous oxygenation patients had the highest use of preoperative mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and the highest HeartMate II risk score before dVAD (p < 0.01). Patients receiving TCS before dVAD implant had hemodynamics comparable with patients in Profiles 2-3 and superior to that of Profile 1 patients without TCS. Operative survival after dVAD was lower in patients receiving ECMO (57%) compared with Profile 1 patients receiving TH (88%), Profile 1 without TCS (82%), or Profile 2-3 patients (97%; all p < 0.01). Despite improved clinical stability with TCS, patients bridged to a dVAD have event-free survival that parallels patients in profile 1 without TCS. Our data suggest that patients requiring TCS before dVAD implant should be still classified Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile 1.