Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.