Following complete global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, a brief period of reactive hyperemia is followed by a prolonged period of low flow commonly referred to as the delayed postischemic hypoperfusion state. It is generally assumed that this low-flow state may be injurious because of inadequate substrate delivery, thus implying that flow is no longer coupled to metabolic needs. This relationship of CBF to CMRO2 was examined in six anesthetized dogs that were subjected to 12 min of complete ischemia induced either by CSF compression or aortic occlusion. Following reperfusion and onset of the low-flow state, which stabilized at 45 min postischemia, control normothermic (37 degrees C) measurements of CBF and CMRO2 were determined. Thereafter, femoral arterial blood was circulated through a heat exchanger (42.5 degrees C), and brain temperature was increased to 40 degrees C and measurements were repeated. The brain was then cooled back to 37 degrees C for a final set of normothermic measurements. Thereafter, brain biopsies were taken to determine the energy state of the brain. CMRO2 changed approximately 6%/degrees C. CBF paralleled the change in CMRO2. Accordingly, the ratio of CBF to CMRO2 remained constant throughout at a value of 8 to 9, demonstrating maintained coupling. The brain energy state was normal at the end of the study. The authors conclude that postischemic CBF is modulated by the brain's metabolic needs.