We studied the reflex arginine vasopressin (AVP) response to hypotensive, isosmotic fluid subtraction (by isolated UF) in 14 uraemic patients on renal dialysis treatment: five with normal autonomic function and nine with autonomic involvement of various degrees. Fluid subtraction caused a comparable mean arterial pressure (MAP) decrease in the two groups. The reduction in right atrial pressure was inversely related with the severity of autonomic neuropathy (rs = -0.72, P = 0.004), being distinctly attenuated in the second group (P = 0.006). Plasma arginine vasopressin increased similarly in patients with normal autonomic function and in those with autonomic involvement. The response of patients with haemodialysis hypotension was similar to that of other patients. Reflex control of arginine vasopressin is preserved even in the presence of afferent/central neuropathy or more advanced, widespread autonomic damage in uraemic man. The data suggest that it is unlikely that altered release of arginine vasopressin is involved in the pathogenesis of haemodialysis hypotension.