Community Health Connection: Cardiac Electrophysiology
Community Health Connection is sponsored by Bronson Healthcare and highlights the expertise, technology and compassionate care available to patients across the region. In this feature, we spoke with Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare electrophysiologist Dr. Thomas Franzon about cardiac electrophysiology and what makes Bronson’s heart program unique.
Video Transcript
As an electrophysiologist, I deal with all aspects of the heart's electrical system.
We treat abnormal heart rhythms from both the top and bottom chamber of the heart. We can help people through medication or something called an ablation procedure.
We help people with low heart rates by implanting pacemakers. We also help people with heart failure or weak hearts by implanting defibrillators. We can also implant cardiac resynchronization pacemakers to try to improve someone’s heart function.
Any time somebody feels palpitations, either a racing heart or something simple like more fatigue or shortness of breath when they try to do something, it could be a heart rhythm problem and they should get evaluated by their health care provider.
Atrial fibrillation is by far the most common heart rhythm problem that will encounter as we get older. With atrial fibrillation. It's always better to catch the problem early. That will give us a lot more options moving forward for treatment and help prevent complications down the line as well.
Here at Bronson we have the latest technological advancements that are out there. You really don't have to travel far. If you live in the Kalamazoo area, you can come here knowing that you're going to get the latest and greatest.
We recently obtained Varipulse here at Bronson. Varipulse is a type of pulse field ablation catheter that's used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The reason we're so excited about pulse field ablation is that it's tissue selective. What I mean by that is it is only going to target the heart tissue that we're going after. It's leaving other surrounding structures alone, like the esophagus or nerves nearby, that previously had been an issue with other ablation procedures.
The environment at Bronson is very collaborative. We all work very closely together to make sure we're achieving the best outcomes for people. There's a lot that can go wrong electrically with the heart, but there's always something I can do to either fix the problem or at least make someone feel better.
Your Questions Answered: Cardiac Electrophysiology & Atrial Fibrillation
How does electrophysiology tie into structural heart care?
Structural heart care focuses on the heart’s anatomy, including valves, chambers and defects such as aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation. Electrophysiology focuses on the heart’s electrical system, which controls rhythm.
These two areas are closely connected. Many patients with structural heart disease also develop rhythm issues like atrial fibrillation (AFib). For example, valve disease or an enlarged heart can increase the risk of AFib.
That is why our teams work together. We coordinate care to treat both the structure of the heart and the rhythm, which helps improve outcomes and quality of life.
When should someone talk to a cardiologist about possible AFib?
If you are experiencing symptoms like a racing or irregular heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness or even unexplained weakness, it is a good idea to get evaluated.
Sometimes AFib has no symptoms at all and is found during a routine exam. That is why it is important to keep up with regular checkups, especially if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of heart problems.
Early diagnosis allows us to offer more treatment options and reduce the risk of complications like stroke.
What is VARIPULSE and how does it change treatment for AFib?
Bronson is the first in southwest Michigan to offer the VARIPULSE pulsed field ablation platform for AFib.
This technology uses short bursts of electrical energy to target the heart tissue causing abnormal rhythms. It is highly precise and designed to avoid damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
It also integrates advanced mapping, which allows us to see exactly where the problem is and treat it more efficiently. For patients, that can mean a safer procedure, shorter procedure times and potentially improved outcomes.
If someone has already had an AFib procedure, can they still benefit from this new technology?
Yes, in many cases they can. Some patients may have recurring AFib after a previous procedure. New technologies like pulsed field ablation give us another option to treat those areas more precisely. Every case is different, so we evaluate each patient individually, but this technology expands our ability to treat both new and recurrent AFib.
Tell us about the new extravascular defibrillator.
The extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or EV-ICD, is a major advancement in preventing sudden cardiac death. Traditional defibrillators place leads inside the heart through the veins. This newer system places the lead under the breastbone, outside the heart and veins. That approach reduces certain long-term risks while still allowing the device to deliver life-saving shocks and pacing when needed.
When did Bronson begin offering the EV-ICD?
We performed our first EV-ICD procedure in October 2025 and have continued offering it regularly since then. It reflects our commitment to bringing advanced cardiac care to the region so patients can access leading-edge treatment close to home.
How do the different heart teams at Bronson work together?
Our approach is very collaborative. Structural heart specialists, electrophysiologists, vascular specialists and thoracic surgeons all work together as part of a multidisciplinary team.
We review complex cases together and build a personalized treatment plan for each patient. That coordination ensures patients receive the most appropriate care, whether that involves a procedure, medication or ongoing monitoring.
What are the biggest advances you are seeing right now in electrophysiology?
We are seeing major advances in minimally invasive procedures, imaging and mapping technology. Tools like pulsed field ablation are making procedures safer and more precise. At the same time, device technology continues to evolve, giving us better options for preventing and managing serious heart rhythm conditions.
If you had one message for people across Michigan about why Bronson is the place to come for heart care, what would it be?
Patients do not have to travel far to receive advanced heart care. At Bronson, we offer the latest technologies and a team-based approach right here in the community. If something does not feel right with your heart rhythm or overall heart health, it is important to get checked. Early care can make a big difference.
Learn More About AFib
Find Heart Care Services at Bronson
