Evaluation of renal concentrating ability with DDAVP and pitressin

This paper reports an attempt to develop a rapid test of the renal concentrating ability using a newly synthetized vasopressin analogue, DDAVP (1-desamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin), which was given intravenously in a dose of 2 micrograms. Patients investigated for various endocrinological disorders were evaluated with both DDAVP and pitressin. There was a good correlation between the maximal urine osmolalities with both tests. Since DDAVP has fewer side effects and a more rapid onset of action it appears advantageous for investigations of renal concentrating ability.