New heart tech may transform atrial fibrillation therapy

Published: 28 September 2025

A new heart mapping tech is being trialled that could make atrial fibrillation treatment faster, more accurate, and reduce repeat procedures – offering hope to thousands of patients.

A groundbreaking new technology developed by researchers in New Zealand and Australia is about to undergo a trans-Tasman clinical trial that could dramatically improve treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm disorder affecting over 60,000 New Zealanders.

Dr Shu Meng, from the University of Auckland, has been awarded a Heart Foundation Research Fellowship that will assist in the progression of the pioneering clinical trial to make AF treatment faster, more effective and more accessible.

The technology used in the trial, called AFmap3D, allows doctors to map the heart’s electrical activity in real time, helping them pinpoint the exact regions that sustain the abnormal rhythm.

Over the past 10 years, Shu has been working on developing new tools used in the AFmap3D that maps the heart’s electrical activity more accurately and quickly. 

This helps doctors find the exact areas that keep the irregular rhythm going, called “amplifier” regions, and target them more effectively during treatment.

“We proposed a novel technique which can detect the triggers of AF and help doctors to make a decision where to ablate in the heart chamber, which was not possible before,” Shu explains.

“The algorithm I developed is very fast and accurate. It used to take 15 hours but now it can finish calculations in just 0.3 seconds. 

 “It makes it possible for doctors to observe what’s happening on the heart wall even during surgery. It allows them to decide where to ablate in real time which wasn’t possible before.”

The most common procedure to treat AF is called pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). It works well for some people, but in persistent AF, it often doesn’t last because other parts of the heart, outside the pulmonary veins which drain into the collecting chamber or left atrium, can still cause AF.

Shu’s method uses new mapping techniques to find these problem areas in the heart. By targeting them more precisely during treatment, this approach could lead to better long-term results and fewer cases of AF coming back.

Hopes atrial fibrillation patients will only need one operation

With this technology now ready for real-world testing, researchers have launched a clinical trial to evaluate its effectiveness. 

A trial involving 65 patients at the Royal Melbourne Hospital will soon be underway, with a multi-centre clinical study expanding to include Waikato and Wellington Hospitals.

The trial will test whether this new approach can reduce procedure times and lower the need for repeat treatments.

The technology could lead to higher success rates of surgery, reduced procedure times and repeat interventions while saving millions in healthcare costs. It also strengthens New Zealand’s role in global heart research and innovation.

“We’re hoping this new technology and mapping will mean patients only need one treatment and then AF is gone forever.”

Their research has shown promising signs with talks underway involving several global medical companies.

“We want it to be used in hospitals around the world.

 “I’ve been working on the same project for 10 years. Initially no one thought this could work. I’m very proud of it and I am confident this will work well in real life and change people’s lives.”

Heart Foundation Medical Director Dr Gerry Devlin says this has the potential to make giant leaps forward in treating people living with AF, the most common heart rhythm disorder in New Zealand.

“This project has enormous potential for making a difference to the lives of patients with AF.

“It could reshape AF treatment worldwide and offer hope to thousands of patients, while positioning New Zealand as a leader in cardiac innovation and strengthening trans-Tasman research collaboration.”