We evaluated cerebral metabolism during retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) and circulatory arrest during profound hypothermia, and also investigated the effects of perfusion pressure on RCP. Twenty-four adult mongrel dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and cooled to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 20 degrees C. At this temperature, hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA; n = 6), and RCP with a perfusion pressure of 10 mmHg (RCP10; n = 6), 20 mmHg (RCP20; n = 6), and 30 mmHg (RCP30; n = 6) were carried out for 60 minutes. RCP was performed with oxygenated blood via the bilateral maxillary veins, and the retrograde flow rate was regulated to maintain a mean perfusion pressure of 10, 20, or 30 mmHg in the external jugular vein. At 60 minutes of RCP, we measured nasopharyngeal temperature; regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF); cerebral oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide excretion, and excess lactate; cerebral tissue adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and energy charge; and cerebral tissue water content. In the RCP10 group, there was excess cerebral lactate, and ATP and energy charge were low. In the RCP30 group, the water content of cerebral tissue was significantly higher than in other groups. In the RCP20 group, temperature was maintained in a narrow range, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide excretion could be observed, there was no excess lactate, and ATP and energy charge were significantly higher than in the HCA group. In conclusion, RCP can provide adequate metabolic support for the brain during circulatory arrest, and a perfusion pressure of 20 mmHg is most appropriate for RCP.