My grandfather had an aortic aneurysm. They were able to repair it with a then-revolutionary new material called Dacron. Twelve years later, it failed, and there was not enough strong tissue left for another repair.
The patch held for twelve years, which may not be a great record, but it meant the world to me. Pop-Pop died when I was eleven.
I assume they knew it was there, and that it didn’t break. Once that happens, it is touch and go, and usually go. Glad you got to know the man.
Sorry for your loss, but glad you got to spend another 12 years with your Pop-Pop. My grandfather had the same procedure.