We have evaluated the effect of 1-Deamino-8D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) on an experimental model of intravascular coagulation (DIC) induced in rabbits by injection of 20 micrograms kg-1 h-1 during 6 h of E. coli lipopolysaccharide. DDAVP significantly ameliorated the platelet drop and fibrinogen decrease (p less than 0.01) induced by endotoxin in control animals. A significant reduction in factor XII consumption (p less than 0.01) and a decrease in the generation of endotoxin induced PAI-1 activity in rabbits circulation was also observed (p less than 0.005). Moreover, fibrin deposition in kidneys of rabbits receiving DDAVP was significantly reduced as compared to control animals. Finally, the mortality rate in the control group was significantly higher than in DDAVP-treated rabbits (p less than 0.01). The hemostatic changes induced by DDAVP correlated with lower fibrin deposition and reduction in mortality rates.