The invention relates to compositions and methods for Inducing organ arrest, maintaining arrest and reanimating in a subject that has suffered a life threatening disease or injury; preparing, harvesting, storing organs, tissues and cells; reducing the harmful effects of at least one of anaesthesia, surgery, clinical intervention, and cardiopulmonary bypass on injuring the tissues, organs and cells of a subject; or reducing the harmful effects of surgery or clinical intervention on injuring the organs and brain in the whole body of a subject. The composition comprises (i) a compound selected from at least one of a potassium channel opener, a potassium channel agonist and an adenosine receptor agonist; (ii) an antiarrhythmic agent or a local anaesthetic; and (iii) citrate.