Compositions and methods for the treatment of complications and disorders relating to von willebrand factor

A polynucleotide that binds to von Willebrand Factor (VWF) comprising:

• a) a sequence corresponding to positions 5-25 of SEQ ID NO.:
• 1, and
• b) 4 or more additional nucleotides at the 5′ end of the sequence and 4 or more additional nucleotides at the 3′ end of the sequence,
• wherein the 4 or more additional nucleotides at the 5′ and 3′ ends are complementary to each other;
• wherein the polynucleotide forms a stable stem-loop structure comprising a double-stranded stem region formed by at least 6 nucleotide pairs at the 5′ and 3′ ends;
• and
• wherein the polynucleotide does not comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1.