Assessment of plasma levels of D-dimer and lipid profile in women with breast cancer on chemotherapy at Nnamdi Azikiwe university teaching hospital, Nnewi

Background and Aim of study: To assess the risk of cardiotoxicity through the evaluation of D-dimer level and lipid profile in women with breast cancer with chemotherapy and without chemotherapy in NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study which consisted of 120 participants (40) women with breast cancer on chemotherapy, 40 women with breast cancer not on chemotherapy and 40 apparently healthy controls. The concentration of D-dimer and fasting lipid profile was assayed using immunoturbidiometric and spectrophotometric method respectively. Anthropometric parameters were measured using standard laboratory methods Results: The mean level of D-dimer was significantly higher in women with breast cancer on and not on chemotherapy when compared with control participants (P<0.05 respectively). The mean Tc, TG and LDLc levels were significantly higher while HDLc was significantly lower in women with breast cancer on and not on chemotherapy when compared with control (P<0.05). Tc, TG and LDLc levels were significantly higher while, HDLc was significantly lower in women with breast cancer on chemotherapy when compared with those not on chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This indicates increased activation of fibrinolysis and heamostasis with dyslipidemia which may result to venous thrombosis predisposing the affected individuals to the risk of cardiotoxicity and increase mortality.