Vasopressin is secreted by the
neurohypophysis influenced by many variables; among them the most important and known is the
osmotic pressure (osmotic
regulation) of
body fluid. Other factors that modify this
hormone's
secretion are changes in
blood volume and
blood pressure, which contribute significantly to
hemodynamic recovery.
Vasopressin receptors are located in different sites, and their stimulation generate also generates different physiological responses. The receptors are of two types, V1 and V2. The usefulness of exogenous
vasopressin has been proven in many clinical situations, refractory
cardiac arrest,
septic shock,
vasodilator shock, postcardiotomy
shock, and vasoplegic
shock, with promising results. At present, enough scientific support exists for the use of this
antidiuretic hormone (
vasopressin) in clinical practice.