This invention relates to methods for treating or preventing an infarction by administering to a patient in need thereof a compound capable of suppressing the expression or activity of the von Willebrand Factor (VWF). Thus, the invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a VWF inhibitor, such as ADAMTS 13, for the preparation of a medicament for treating conditions known to involve infarction to reduce or eliminate the symptoms and effect of an infarction.