Results of an international survey about methods used to isolate human endothelial colony-forming cells: guidance from the SSC on Vascular Biology of the ISTH

•Methods used to study endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) remain quite heterogeneous.•We surveyed 21 experts from 10 different countries using a questionnaire proposed during the 2019 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress in Melbourne, Australia, to obtain a consensus on ECFC isolation and culture.•We propose, for the first time, a standardized protocol for the isolation of ECFCs from cord and peripheral blood based on our international survey.•Our survey clearly indicates an unmet need for rigorous standardization and a prospective multicenter comparison of results to establish robust procedures for clinical laboratory practice.