Significant complications may occur:

• There is a chance of a reaction to the contrast medium.
• There is some risk of the catheter damaging the artery or knocking loose a piece of a clot which can block the blood flow and cause tissue damage or even a stroke; however, this is rare.
• A clot or bleeding at the puncture site may result in a partial blockage of the flow of blood to the leg.

There is low radiation exposure; however, most experts feel that the risk of most X-rays is smaller than other risks we take every day. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the X-ray.