In the “Amputation Capital,” One Miami Cardiologist Builds a High-Tech Ecosystem to Save Limbs and Lives
Dr. Pedro Martinez-Clark marks American Heart Month with a 20% reduction goal for amputations, backed by a new independent hybrid surgical center and AI-driven screenings.
MIAMI, FL — January 27, 2026 — While the nation observes American Heart Month, a quiet crisis is unfolding in Miami-Dade County. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a circulatory condition often called “poor man’s heart disease,” is driving a disproportionate number of non-traumatic amputations in the region’s Black and Hispanic communities. Today, Dr. Pedro Martinez-Clark, founder of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™, announces a comprehensive “ecosystem of care” designed to halt this trend: the expansion of the Miami Initiative to Stop Amputations (MISA), powered by the opening of the region’s first independent cardiovascular ambulatory surgery center (ASC) equipped with hybrid robotic suites.
“Most amputations are preventable. The system not the patient is failing,” says Dr. Martinez-Clark, a Harvard-trained interventional cardiologist. “You shouldn’t lose a leg because you couldn’t find a ride to the doctor or because your condition was caught too late. We are moving world class technology out of the hospital and into the community to change this reality.”
The Goal: 20% Reduction by 2030
Through MISA, Dr. Martinez-Clark has set a public health goal to reduce non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in Miami-Dade County by 20% over the next decade. To achieve this, Amavita is deploying AISAP CARDIO, a military-grade AI ultrasound technology, into local nursing homes and clinics. Early pilot programs have already identified previously undiagnosed valvular pathologies in 28% of seniors screened, catching “ticking time bombs” before they become fatal.
The Technology: Rewiring the Body
For patients with advanced disease who have been told amputation is their only option, Amavita has adopted the LimFlow System. This breakthrough therapy, now available at the new Kendall facility, allows surgeons to permanently “rewire” a patient’s leg by turning a vein into an artery, bypassing blocked vessels to oxygenate the foot. Clinical data from the pivotal PROMISE II trial demonstrates a 76% limb salvage rate for patients who otherwise faced major amputation.
The Facility: A New Model for Kendall
Supporting these clinical initiatives is the grand opening of Amavita’s new Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) at the Med Square Health complex in Kendall. It stands as the first independent cardiovascular center in the neighborhood to feature two hybrid operating suites with robotic capabilities.
“World-class cardiovascular care doesn’t have to happen in a hospital,” states Dr. Martinez-Clark. “By performing complex revascularization procedures in an independent outpatient setting, we can offer patients a more personalized experience at a significantly lower cost often 40-60% less than traditional hospital systems.”
About Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Pedro Martinez-Clark, Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ is a comprehensive cardiovascular practice dedicated to minimally invasive treatments and health equity. Anchored by the Miami Initiative to Stop Amputations (MISA) and the bioaccess® research consortium, Amavita bridges the gap between academic innovation and community access.
Media Contact: Patty Vila
C: 305-498-9660
pattyvilamedia@outlook.com
