The use of vasopressin to limit the polyuria of the brain-dead organ donor is a controversial subject. It is held that the associated vasoconstriction may result in ischemic damage to transplantable organs. However, the derangements in the intravascular--and thereby interstitial and intracellular--fluid and electrolyte balances associated with diabetes insipidus may lead to gross fluid shifts in the organ donor. Aggressive resuscitation with crystalloid solutions may aggravate these fluid shifts, contribute to the development of interstitial and intracellular edema, and ultimately result in cardiovascular failure and the rejection of the organs for transplantation. Theoretically, a minute amount of vasopressin is required for the maintenance of normal intravascular fluid and electrolyte balance, and it is best administered as a continuous i.v. infusion. We report on our study of an animal model of a brain-dead organ donor, in which polyuria, hypernatremia, and hyperosmolality developed. The administration of low-dose (2-10 microU/kg/min) vasopressin by continuous infusion maintained plasma sodium and osmolality in the normal range over the course of the experiments (24 hr) in the experimental group. Cardiovascular function remained stable in both control and experimental vasopressin-infusion) groups, with the only significant difference being a moderate rise in pulmonary artery pressure. It would appear that early low-dose vasopressin supplementation by continuous i.v. infusion may improve donor management. The maintenance of intravascular homeostasis may contribute to the quality and number of organs for transplantation.