[Use of vasopressin analogues and antagonist in clinical practice].
Vasopressin is an endogenous peptide hormone with the antidiuretic and vasoactive action. Its mechanisms of action on vasal smooth muscles and kidney collective tubules are well known. This hormone also plays a role in the central nervous system and influences smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. The recent research results indicated much more extensive effects of endogenous vasopressin action on the circulation than appeared from the water-electrolyte balance regulation only. The use of this hormone is actually an alternative for catecholamine in treatment of the shock. This paper presents short review of vasopressin action, actual clinical use and perspectives in use of vasopressin antagonists in the heart failure.