There is only one way they can repair your AAA (ascending) and is by opening your chest called sternotomy and going on the ECMO machine (extra corporeal oxygenation). They cannot access the area thru an endovascular approach and stent thru the groin. Too many important arteries attached to the ascending part of the aorta including one to the coronary arteries. Going in to the ECMO machine has it side effects mainly in cognitive. It is a very serious operation for anyone but as we age it becomes more serious. So they have to decide according to age, height, existing medical conditions and aneurysm size. Mine is 5.9 and was discovered in 2011 so it has grown very slowly and I am in excellent health, non-smoker, no hypertension, but I am 80! So likely that they won't recommend surgery unless it dissects. I will have to let God decides when He calls
Dr Picardi