Fig 1.
Flowchart of the study selection process using PRISMA tool.
CMVD = coronary microvascular dysfunction; MACE = Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events; CABG = Coronary artery bypass graft; CAD = coronary artery disease.
Table 1.
General characteristics of included studies.
Fig 2.
Quality of included studies using QUIPS tool.
QUIPS = Quality in Prognostic Studies.
Fig 3.
Forest plot of MACE with and without severe CMVD.
CMVD was significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE, with a pooled HR of 3.42 [2.45; 4.79]. Squares and diamonds = hazard ratios, lines = 95% CI. TE = treatment effect; SE = standard errors; MACE = Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events; CMVD = coronary microvascular dysfunction; CI = confidence interval.
Fig 4.
Sensitivity analyses consisted in repeating the forest plot after removing 3 studies at high risk of bias.
Fig 5.
Quality of evidence using GRADE framework adapted to prognostic factor studies. GRADE = Grading of Recommandations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations.
Fig 6.
The funnel plot showed no asymmetry, suggesting no publication biais.