I had open heart to repair my 5.2cm ascending aortic aneurysm at 54 (almost 5 years ago) , mine was not an emergency but highly recommended due to the size, my body size and family history. There’s no other way to repair it but open heart, I also have a bicuspid aortic valve that could have needed replacement and they would not due it through catheter due to the risk of rupturing the aneurysm. My valve ended up not being replaced as it was highly functional, but now that the aneurysm is repaired catheter is an option. So as far as I understand it body size is a factor when determining if an aneurysm is large enough and normally they would not repair a valve endovascularly with an aneurysm. My experience was not as dramatic as Moonboy’s it wasn’t a piece of cake but not unbearable. Of course I was 25 years younger than you, your general physical condition is a major factor, your cardiologist and surgeon should be able to tell you the odds of a successful surgery (99.9% was what they gave me so no brainer)