Diabetes insipidus following cardiorespiratory arrest

Diabetes insipidus following cardiac arrest and hypoxemic encephalopathy occurred in two patients. In both, severe hypoxemic brain damage was followed within three days by clinical and laboratory features of diabetes insipidus, which were corrected by administration of exogenous vasopressin. Hypothalamic injury resulting in diabetes insipidus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of polyuria and dehydration occurring in critically ill patients who have suffered cardiorespiratory arrest.