An aortic cross clamp (10) includes an elongated handle (14) and a clamp head (18). The clamp head has opposing jaws (22,28) having open and closed positions. At least one of the jaws is pivotally mounted to a jaw actuator (24) so as to be pivotal relative to the opposing jaw and about an axis distanced from the opposing jaw. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the jaws in the closed position. A jaw drive mechanism is operable through the elongated handle for moving the jaws between the open and closed positions. A method of clamping the aorta is also disclosed.
