The article summarizes the present state of view on the causes, risks and possible prevention and treatment of dysrhythmias after surgery for congenital heart disease. Various surgical procedures and their contribution to postoperative dysrhythmias are discussed. Literary data on the incidence of rhythm disturbances after closure of ventricular septal defect, total correction of Fallot tetralogy and Mustard or Senning operation for transposition of the great arteries are reviewed and compared with own findings. Special attention is paid to proved and possible risk factors for sudden cardiac death. A brief review of various therapeutic options (pacing, drugs and surgery) follows.