Spinetti G, Sangalli E, Tagliabue E, et al. - Given that migration of circulating CD34⁺ cells predicted cardiovascular mortality at 18 months after revascularization in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and critical limb ischemia (CLI), researchers sought to provide long-term validation and mechanistic understanding of the biomarker. Around 6 years after revascularization, the correlation between CD34⁺ cell migration and cardiovascular mortality was reassessed. CD34⁺ cell migration predicts long-term cardiovascular mortality in patients suffering from T2D-CLI. Altered paracrine signaling conveys the antiangiogenic and proapoptotic features of CD34⁺ cells to the endothelium. This adverse relationship could increase the risk of life-threatening complications.