BACKGROUND Hyperglycemia frequently occurs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), although its direct effects on cerebral perfusion and metabolism are not known. Using a canine model of hypothermic CPB, we tested whether hyperglycemia alters cerebral blood flow and metabolism and cerebral energy charge. METHODS Twenty anesthetized dogs were randomized into hyperglycemic (n = 10) and normoglycemic (n = 10) groups. The hyperglycemic group received an infusion of D50W, and the normoglycemic animals received an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl. Both groups underwent 120 min of hypothermic (28 degrees C) CPB using membrane oxygenators, followed by rewarming and termination of CPB. Cerebral blood flow (radioactive microspheres) and the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen were measured intermittently during the experiment and brain tissue metabolites were obtained after bypass. RESULTS Before CPB, the glucose-treated animals had higher serum glucose levels (534 +/- 12 mg/dL; mean +/- SE) than controls (103 +/- 4 mg/dL; P < 0.05), and this difference was maintained throughout the study. Cerebral blood flow and metabolism did not differ between groups at any time during the experiment. Sagittal sinus pressure was comparable between groups throughout CPB. Tissue high-energy phosphates and water contents were similar after CPB, although cerebral lactate levels were greater in hyperglycemic (37.2 +/- 5.7 mumol/g) than normoglycemic animals (19.7 +/- 3.7 mumol/g; P < 0.05). After CPB, pH values of cerebrospinal fluid for normoglycemic (7.33 +/- 0.01) and hyperglycemic (7.34 +/- 0.01) groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS Hyperglycemia during CPB significantly increases cerebral lactate levels without adversely affecting cerebral blood flow and metabolism, cerebrospinal fluid pH, or cerebral energy charge.